Thesis (MA) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Communication and Media Studies Department

Includes bibliography (sheets 97-105)

ABSTRACT
The emergency of new media has ushered in an era of digital revolution, where people
across the globe or within different aspects of a country can share ideas and information.
With the growing use of Twitter, its impacts cut across the socio-economic and political
spheres in Nigeria. People between ages 18 to 50 make up vast majority of voters and
Twitter users in Nigeria, making that platform the target for Political information.
Twitter provides online public sphere for buzzing citizens' debates about, the state of the
nation, political parties, presidential candidates, ideologies and propagandas. Those
debates were reflective of imminent concerns projected mostly by Nigerians.
Subsequently, politicians made Twitter their political campaign field for direct
communication link with and feedback in influencing and mobilizing wider coverage of
voters. The study implements a cross-sectional research design. A convenient sampling
method is used to select 100 voluntary participants. Questionnaires are distributed online
for the purpose of collecting data using Google Form. The samples consist of voters in
Nigeria between the age of 18, to 50, which will comprise both male and female
participants. The aim of the study is to determine some of the ways Twitter usage
impacts the involvements of electorates during the just concluded 2019 presidential
elections in Nigeria. This study examines the influence of Twitter campaigns in
communicating calculated candidates messages to cause a change in electorates’ choice
prior to the Presidential election. Findings suggest that Twitter usage is useful in
providing required feedbacks sought by voters wanting political information while
increasing political participation.