Interrogating the Relationship between WhatsApp Political Use and Active Political Participation among Nigerians: Implication for Online Democracy

Abstract

Massive use of social media by the citizens has led to a shift from conventional political rally for political mobilization and marketing of candidates to online political advertising. While the masses engage in political discussion online, some politicians take social media discussions of politics for granted claiming that there are no polling units online. The general objective of this study is to examine the relationship between WhatsApp use for political discussion and active participation in real time among residents of Awka metropolis. Specifically, the study examined how often WhatsApp is used for political information; the degree of political education gained by the respondents; the extent to which the use of WhatsApp encouraged physical political participation, and whether the rate of use of WhatsApp for political purposes corresponds to the rate of participation in real life by the respondents. The study used the survey research method in studying 379 WhatsApp users in Awka Metropolis sampled using purposive sampling technique. The study found expression from the theoretical provision of the reasoned action theory of the media. Findings revealed that WhatsApp use for political discussion does not only increase political awareness and knowledge but also heavily encourages real-time political participation among the respondents. It was concluded that WhatsApp use has been a viable means of political mobilization and participation in Nigeria. The study among others recommended that politicians and political parties that want to survive politically should take social media criticisms very seriously or get ready to be voted out in elections.