PUBLIC PERCEPTION

This study examines public perception of social media use for political campaigns in 2023 Nigeria elections. The study sought to discover public perception on the use of social media platforms for political campaign messages. The theories used to support this study were Uses and gratification theory and Agenda setting theory. The study employed the survey method using questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. Findings reveal that social media platforms are used for political campaign messages, social media platforms are seen as a two way communication system that greatly improved feedback of political campaign messages, the users of these social media platforms are exposed to political campaign messages on social media and the general public are accepting of the use of social media for political campaign. The study then recommends that political campaign messages on social media platforms should be monitored so the rise of fake information on social media will be combated, the government should also utilize social media platforms very well as it is a form of communication that is here to stay