Evaluation of University of Port Harcourt Students Exposure to Social Media on the Choice of Candidates in 2023 General Election

The study evaluated University of Port Harcourt students’ exposure to social media on the choice of candidates in 2023 General Election. The study was guided by four research questions. The research questions for the study were, to what extent are University of Port Harcourt students exposed to social media political campaigns? Through what channels are University of Port Harcourt students exposed to social media political campaigns? What is the influence of usage of Facebook as an awareness social media tool and projection of image of political candidates on the choice of candidates among University of Port Harcourt students? Does the social media political campaign influence University of Port Harcourt students’ participation in the 2023 Nigeria general elections? The study reviewed concepts like media, social media, election and political participation. The study was anchored on Uses and Gratification Theory. The study adopted survey research design. The population of the study was 38,000. The sample size of the study consisted of 400 University of Port Harcourt undergraduate students carefully selected, using the simple random sampling techniques to select the samples. Analysis revealed, amongst others, that through Facebook contents, the images of political candidates are shaped which influences the choice of candidates chosen amongst University of Port Harcourt students and that Facebook contents influence choice of candidates amongst University of Port Harcourt students by influencing the perception of students. The study recommenced, amongst others, that political parties, politicians, governmental agencies and ministries should create a robust and effective social media presence to inform and educate youths, especially on social media platforms which has a high concentration of Nigerian youths who believe political news on social media and regards them as credible.