AN ASSESSMENT OF PARTY POLITICS AND MEDIA UNDER BUHARI ADMINISTRATION, 2015-2023

This study examined the role of media in shaping political narratives and public opinion during the Buhari administration, from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023. A quantitative survey research design was employed, utilizing a structured questionnaire to collect data from a sample of 112 respondents. The data were analyzed using SPSS27, which facilitated the presentation and interpretation of the findings. The study found that traditional media played a significant role in shaping public opinion during Buhari's presidency, with respondents largely agreeing that it influenced political narratives. However, social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook, were found to be more influential than traditional media in shaping political discourse. Social media allowed for a wider diversity of political opinions and narratives, often challenging the perspectives presented by traditional media. Despite this, government policies were seen as negatively impacting press freedom, with many respondents indicating that media outlets were frequently censored or restricted by the government. Social media activism was also identified as a crucial tool in influencing governance and policy decisions, with activists playing an important role in holding the government accountable, even though they faced persecution. The study concluded that media, both traditional and social, played an essential role in shaping political narratives and influencing governance during the Buhari administration. While traditional media generally aligned with the government, social media served as an alternative platform for political engagement and activism. Government policies were seen as suppressing press freedom, creating a climate of self-censorship and fear. The research contributes to the understanding of the media-political relationship in Nigeria, particularly during a period of government repression and media freedom. It also calls for greater protection of press freedom and support for digital activism in promoting political accountability.