The role of Facebook and X as social media platforms on voters behaviour in 2023 National Assembly election in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nigeria

Abstract

The advent of Facebook and X as social media platforms has fundamentally transformed the landscape of political discourse globally. One of the major problems is the rapid spread of misinformation and fake news through these social media platforms. Another critical issue is the increasing polarization of public opinion. Additionally, the digital divide remains a significant barrier to equitable access to information. Furthermore, the overreliance on social media for political communication has led to the decline of traditional media engagement, which may result in a superficial understanding of political issues among users. Lastly, the security and privacy concerns associated with social media use during elections have also emerged as problems. The primary objective of this study is to find out if Facebook and X influence voters’ behavior in the 2023 National Assembly elections. It seeks to examine how Facebook and X were predominantly used in the 2023 National Assembly elections, and to identify the challenges faced by voters in the use of Facebook and X as social media platforms for democratic, participatory, and political systems. The methodology employed was a mixed research method which combined primary sources of data (questionnaires) and secondary data. The study highlights the harmful effects of Facebook and X, contributing to the spread of misinformation, fostering polarization, and facilitating online harassment, thereby posing a threat to the fundamental principles of democracy.