ABSTRACT
This dissertation examined the roles new media technologies play in the
electioneering process of developing nations. The chosen case study was
the Nigeria 2015 presidential elections. For this study, the electioneering
period was accepted to commence with from the campaign period and to
conclude a year after swearing in. This allowed for the study of critical
milestones of the electoral cycle.
The main argument of this study was that the new media played critical
roles during the Nigeria 2015 presidential election. This study sought to
identify these roles and contextualize their impact with a view to improving
and institutionalizing positive trends.
It was discovered that practically all stakeholders that participated in one
way or the other relied on the new media to improve their operational
capability and judgement.
It was also discovered that the new media and its ability to disseminate
information in geometric proportions is one of the critical factors
responsible for the avoidance of post-election crisis in Nigeria.
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction………………………………..……………….…… - ….… - - ..1
1.1 Statement of the Problem..……………….….…………………….… - … - ..6
1.2 Objectives of the Study……………………..…………………….…… - - ..13
1.3 Research Questions… - …………………….…….…………………… - - 14
1.4 Significance of the Study… - …………………………………… - - - ..14
1.5 Scope and Limitation of the Study……………………………………………15
1.6 Organization of the Dissertation………………………………….…..…..…16
1.7 Definition of Key Terminology………………………………………….….….17
CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Interpreting the New Media…………………………………………………………18
2.2 Situating the Nigeria 2015 Elections against a Political Backdrop - 19
2.3 The New Media and Armed Struggles in Nigeria.…………………………22
2.4 Corruption and Campaign Financing in Nigeria…………………….……..34
2.5 Western Political Interference and safe Havens.………………………….39
2.6 Corruption and bad governance in Nigeria …………………….……………41
2.7 Electoral Integrity Framework…………………………………….……………….64
CHAPTER THREE OVERVIEW OF METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction………………………………………………………… - - - .70
3.2 Research and Methodology Design…………………….……… - - 70
3.3 Population and Sample Size………………………………………….………..73
3.4 Limitation of the Study………………………………………………….……….73
CHAPTER FOUR DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Introduction…………………………………….…………………… - - - 75
4.2 Quantitative Analyses……………………………………………….…………….75
4.3 Qualitative Analyses………………………………………………….………… - 91
CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………..………103
5.2 Summary and Findings…………………………………………………………..103
5.3 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………..105
5.4 Recommendations…………………………………………………………………115
BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………………………………….121