INFLUENCE OF X ON YOUTH POLITICAL MOBILIZATION IN NIGERIA DURING 2023 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Abstract

The emergence of X (formerly Twitter) has significantly transformed political communication and youth political mobilization across democratic societies, particularly in developing democracies such as Nigeria. During Nigeria's 2023 general elections, the platform became a major arena through which young people accessed political information, participated in public debates, coordinated campaign activities, mobilized voters, and interacted with political actors in real time. This paper examines the influence of X on youth political mobilization during the 2023 general elections in Nigeria. Anchored on the public sphere theory, agenda-setting theory, and networked publics theory, the study explains how digital conversations, campaign communication, civic education, online activism, and networked interactions shaped political participation among Nigerian youths before, during, and after the elections. The study relies on existing scholarly literature and documented online political activities associated with the 2023 elections, including the digital campaigns of the Obidient Movement, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and other political actors. Findings indicate that X significantly enhanced political awareness, voter education, campaign mobilization, political participation, and public engagement by providing young Nigerians with an accessible platform for political expression and collective action. At the same time, the platform facilitated the rapid circulation of misinformation, political polarization, hate speech, coordinated propaganda, and competing narratives that occasionally undermined informed democratic deliberation. The paper concludes that although X has strengthened youth political mobilization and expanded democratic participation, its long-term democratic contribution depends on improved digital literacy, responsible political communication, stronger institutional engagement, and effective electoral information management by relevant stakeholders.