CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1Background of the Study

The growth of modern technology and the ever changing complex nature

societies of the world have revolutionalized the way and manner information

gathering and dissemination is carried out. Citizens, with this development,

have utilised the opportunity created by modern technologies in satisfying their

quest to keep abreast of happenings around them. The internet has become the

biggest technological revolution of the 20th century with a sizeable number of

the population of the world having access to it. It is now the biggest market

place where one can find products, services, information, ideas and knowledge

at the mere click of a button. The use of these technologies is the provision of

efficient, cost-effective and convenient sharing of vital information among the

people via online media tools known as the social media.

In every democratized society, the quest for power and the agitation for change

have been recurrent decimals. Politicians who seek for control seek to achieve

their aims through political parties that support their ideologies, visions, and

aspirations. In the same vein, those who seek to change the status and champion

the ideas of revolution also form groups to actualize their visions. Both parties

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however cannot achieve their aims and ambitions without getting the support of

the generality of the people.

However, the target supporters need convincing information before they could

also join the train. This is where the media comes in as a veritable tool of

political socialization.

The entrance of globalisation into world politics has changed the socio-political

milieu of global politics. Globalisation stands as an Octopus with its tentacles in

every aspect of human activities and interactions. However, the strength of

globalisation lies in transformations and technological advancements in the

nature, timing, and efficacy of the internet. The internet, which supports various

social platforms such as the Facebook, twitter, Whatsapp, Instagram, telegram,

and many others, are faster and open to quicker response than the orthodox

media forums such as the print media, television, radio, and telephony, and

therefore has become veritable instrument of information gathering,

dissemination, and evaluation. With social media, one is wont to align with

Friedman (2007),

Therefore, the internet in this era of globalisation plays a vital role in shaping

political attitudes, promoting political involvements and influences voting

behaviour globally. The social media is defined as “the new information

network and information technology, using a form of communication utilizing

interactive and user- produced content, and interpersonal relationships are

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created and maintained. (Sanatokeskus TSK: Sosaalisen median sanato.

Helsinki 2010).

The SARS was set up in 1992 during the military rule to fight against

widespread robbery in Nigeria; they have been accused of scores of extra-

judicial killings and extortion of young people. They can be seen on roads and

streets of Nigeria looking for young persons who they profile as criminals or

yahoo boys (internet fraudsters) simply by observing certain features such as

wearing of dreadlocks, tattoos, having an iPhone, having a laptop computer,

driving a car (especially a Mercedes Benz), or generally looking wealthy. They

harass them, beat them, and in many cases kill them, branding them criminals.

There have been several calls on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for an end to

SARS and their unjust activities, but the Nigerian government has paid little

attention to these online agitations. This continued until the recent killing of the

young man in Delta state cited above which resulted in a nationwide

protest(#EndSARS, 2020) which caused civil unrest in the country.

According to okehi(2006)Facebook, Instagram, and chief amongst them,

Twitter have been pivotal in the ongoing protests which started with the demand

by young Nigerians for the government to dissolve SARS, end police brutality,

and reform the Nigerian police force. It has metamorphosed into a demand to

reform Nigeria at a time when the entire world is fighting against the COVID-

19 pandemic.

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Many Nigerians shared stories of their experiences and that of their family and

friends on social media which keep fuelling the protests. The protest is on two

fronts: online, via social network sites, and on the ground in the streets of

Nigeria. Although the Inspector General of Police as well as the president have

stated that SARS will be dissolved immediately and the Nigerian police

subsequently reformed, it did not quell down the protest. The internet was

fooded with posts about other injustices and corruption that have plagued

Nigeria for years and the demand for immediate change with new hashtags such

as #NassSalaryCut, #EndSWAT, and #End Bad Governance In Nigeria Now

(#EndSARS, 2020).

Digital technology has made it possible for people to get information in real-

time and in many cases with digital video evidence. Thus, protests as we know

them are changing in line with digital technological advancements, and many

protests will be influenced by digital technology. As young Nigerians and social

workers, what is our position and role in the face of the protest? Social workers

have always been part of social movements, both conservatively and

progressively, starting from the Settlement Movement in the UK. In recent

times social workers have also been frontline practitioners and social policy

activists, standing in solidarity with protesters to fight against all forms of

oppression and injustice (Noble, 2007).

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Today, Nigerian politicians and their political parties at one time or the other

utilize the Twitter to provide vital information and education to the people about

their programmes and/or manifestoes.(Amadi 2004).That is, the social media

and Twitter in particular serve as veritable tools in the hands of politicians and

others alike in providing relevant political education to the citizens. It is against

this backdrop that this research study investigates the use of Twitter and its

influence on political education and mobilization.

1.2 Statement of the problem

The problem is that the political activists in Nigeria have had difficulties in

mobilizing their political actions, and communicating with mass audiences and

their possible supporters through mainstream media. The problem arises from

the nature of mainstream media. Mainstream media companies in Nigeria

belong either to the government or to corporations which target profit

maximization. In either case, it is hard for alternative political or anti-

governmental ideas to find a place in mainstream media. The study focuses on

the question “Whether Twitter can be an alternative to mainstream media for

political activists to spread their ideas freely and efficiently and moreover

mobilize political protests”.

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1.3 Objective of the study

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of Twitter as a tool

for political education in Nigeria with focus on #EndSars protest in Nigeria.

Specifically, This research study seeks to achieve the following objectives:

To establish whether Twitter have any impact on political education of the

people in Port-harcourt city local government.

To find out the extent to which the use of Twitter has provided political

education to the people in Port-Harcourt city local government.

To identify the ways through which Twitter has provided political education to

the people of Port-harcourt city local government.

1.4 Significance of the study

Being a relatively new field in the ever-dynamic field of communication in

Nigeria, the study will provide additional knowledge on the subject matter. It is

hoped that the study in its practical value will educate politicians and political

parties on the importance of Twitter in contemporary political communication,

since social media tools are yet to be fully explored for political campaigns in

Nigeria. Also, this study will provide insights to the Independent National

Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society organizations in designing

programmes that would promote the use of new media technologies in the

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political process in Nigeria. Lastly, the findings of this study would serve as a

springboard for future research in the field of political communication.

1.5 Research question

The study will answer the following research questions

1. Do Twitter have any impact on political education of the people in Port-

harcourt city?

2. What is the extent to which the use of Twitter has provided political

education to the people in Port-Harcourt city?

3. What are the ways through which Twitter has provided political

education to the people of Port-harcourt city?

1.6 Scope of the study

The study on the usefulness of Twitter as a tool for political education will

focus on the recent EndSars protest. It will focus on the effectiveness of Twitter

during the peaceful protest across Nigeria with Port-Harcourt city local

government as case study.

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1.7 Limitation of the study

Financial constraint

Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for

the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data

collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint

The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic

work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research

work.

1.8 Operational definition of concepts

Social media: Social media is an internet-based form of communication. Social

media platforms allow users to have conversations, share information and create

web content.

Twitter: Twitter is an American microblogging and social networking service

on which users post and interact with messages known as "tweets". Registered

users can post, like, and retweet tweets, but unregistered users can only read

those that are publicly available.

Political Education: Education is the knowledge and understanding of political

issues, which enable people to perform their roles as citizens effectively.