Benue State University, Makurdi

The Social Media and Nigeria's Electoral Politics since 1999: Trends and Implications for Nigeria's External Image

Chris S. Orngu

Abstract

The history of electoral politics in Nigeria has played a significant role in driving the dynamic trend of the country's image in the international system. As the last millennium steadily folded off, Nigeria joined other world democracies by embracing democratic governance. The enthronement of democracy in Nigeria in 1999 redefined the country's political system with its inter-related institutions. Subsequently, periodic elections were conducted to fulfil part of the requirements of a democratic system of government. Regrettably, these elections became an albatross on Nigeria's neck with far-reaching implications for the country's image in international circles. The 2015 - general elections presented a radical departure from the previous flawed electoral processes. This paper argues that the phenomenon of the social media, has been very fundamental to the recent positive developments in Nigeria's electoral process. It asserts that following the improvement in the quality of Nigeria's electoral process as witnessed during the 2015 polls, the country's image has become significantly redeemed in international circles, it suggests the sustained patronage of the social media and its increased deployment in the monitoring and repositioning of Nigeria's electoral processes in the future.

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