NJOMACS

The influence of social media has become a defining feature that reshapes the dynamics of elections worldwide. The evolution of social media strategies for the 2015 and 2019 Nigerian general elections highlights the growing sophistication and importance of digital platforms in engaging voters, shaping public opinion, and mobilising support. This study evaluates the public perception of the use of social media on the political campaign of the Nigerian 2015 and 2019 elections. The Agenda Setting theory and Uses and Gratification theory were employed as theoretical framework, while descriptive survey method was used with questionnaire as instrument of data collection. Two hundred and fifty respondents in Ward 5 of Moniya, Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo State were randomly selected for this study. Findings showed that the respondents perceived social media to be a great tool in shaping their political views for the 2015 and 2019 general elections. Also, results revealed that the respondents adjudged social media platforms as impactful tools for political discourse during the 2015 and 2019 electoral period. The study concludes that social media has become an indispensable tool in political communication significantly influencing election campaigns and interactions in Nigeria and recommends further use and regulation.