SOCIAL MEDIA AND MODERN POLITICAL REVOLUTIO IN NIGERIA: CASE STUDY OF LOKOJA KOGI STATE

This study examines the role of social media in modern political revolution in Nigeria, with particular attention to its influence on political mobilization, voter engagement, misinformation, and state regulation. Social media platforms have emerged as powerful instruments in reshaping political discourse and civic participation, providing spaces for mobilizing protests such as the #EndSARS movement and for amplifying citizens’ voices against systemic injustices. The study employed a descriptive survey design, administering 400 questionnaires to respondents, of which 350 were validly returned, yielding a response rate of 87.5%. Findings revealed that social media significantly contributed to the organization and mobilization of political protests, offering a decentralized structure for activists to communicate, coordinate, and disseminate real-time information. Additionally, during the 2023 general elections, platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp enhanced voter engagement, political campaigning, and candidate visibility, particularly among young and urban populations. However, the study also identified the adverse effects of misinformation and digital manipulation, which often distorted public discourse, fueled political polarization, and undermined trust in democratic institutions. Furthermore, government attempts to regulate or censor social media such as the Twitter ban in 2021 had a mixed impact, simultaneously restricting freedom of expression while triggering innovative strategies among citizens to bypass censorship, thereby reshaping patterns of digital activism. The study concludes that social media is a double-edged sword in Nigeria’s democratic evolution: while it fosters inclusivity, participation, and accountability, it also presents challenges related to misinformation, cyber manipulation, and regulatory tensions. It recommends digital literacy campaigns, stronger electoral technology integration, and transparent policy frameworks to balance freedom of expression with accountability in Nigeria’s political processes.