INFLUENCE OF TWITTER ON ELECTORATE VOTING DECISIONS IN THE 2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN NIGERIA

This study investigates the influence of Twitter (now X) on voter behavior during the 2023 Nigerian presidential election, with a focus on the Ika Federal Constituency in Delta State. Anchored on Cultivation Theory and the Networked Public Sphere Theory, the research examines how sustained exposure to political narratives and interactions on Twitter shaped voter perceptions, reinforced political preferences, and mobilized public discourse. Employing a quantitative survey design, data were collected from 200 registered voters who actively engaged with Twitter during the election period. Findings reveal that 65% of respondents acknowledged Twitter’s impact on their electoral decisions, with 20% changing their candidate preference and 30% having their existing choices reinforced. The platform also heightened political interest for 25% of respondents, particularly among youth and first-time voters. While 60% found political content on Twitter credible, 75% engaged in verification practices due to concerns about misinformation. The study concludes that Twitter has become a critical tool for political communication, voter mobilization, and democratic participation in Nigeria. It recommends enhanced digital literacy programs, the establishment of robust fact-checking mechanisms, collaboration between electoral bodies and social media platforms for civic education, and the adoption of structured online campaign strategies by political actors to ensure informed and active voter participation in future elections.