THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE MOBILIZATION OF ELECTORATES DURING THE 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN LAGOS AND KANO STATES NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the impact of social media messages on the electorates of Lagos and Kano States in Nigeria during the 2019 general elections. Three research questions were used for the investigation. The survey method was used for the research. The Comrey and Lee (J 962) formula was adopted to determine sample size. The formula states that where the population runs into millions and were infinite, that 250 is good, 300 is very good and 500 is excellent. The sample size of 500 respondents was the population of the research. Copies of 500 questionnaires were distributed but 480 of them were filled and returned. The results show that: first, there was significant exposure to social media messages by the electorates of the two states during the elections; second, the electorates of the two states were significantly influenced by social media messages in their choice of candidates; third, social media messages significantly reduced political problems in Nigeria during the elections.