POLITICAL COMMUNICATION, RULE OF LAW AND DEMOCRATIC VIGILANCE: ENHANCING CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIA’S DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

Abstract

This study ascertained political communication, rule of law and democratic vigilance: enhancing citizen participation in Nigeria’s democratic process. The deliberative democracy theory was anchored in this study. This study adopted a qualitative research methodology anchored on email interviews. The research design was a descriptive exploratory design, suitable for capturing in-depth, context-rich narratives and individual perceptions. The population of the study comprises politically active Nigerian citizens, including civil society actors, legal practitioners, journalists and social media influencers, estimated at 5,000 individuals across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, based on civil society engagement records and professional associations. These individuals were chosen due to their active involvement in political discourse and civic advocacy. From this population, a sample size of 30 respondents was selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured email interviews. The data were analysed using thematic content analysis, which involved coding responses, identifying recurring themes, and interpreting patterns in relation to the study variables. Findings revealed that political communication in Nigeria has the potential to influence citizen participation positively, especially, through social media and community engagement but its effectiveness is weakened by mistrust, elite control of narratives and widespread misinformation that often alienate and confuse the public rather than empower them. The study concluded that while political communication holds immense potential to mobilize Nigerian citizens and foster democratic participation, its effectiveness remains undermined by elite manipulation, lack of trust and the spread of misinformation revealing an urgent need for more transparent, inclusive, and citizen-centred communication strategies in the democratic process. The study recommended that The National Orientation Agency (NOA), in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and media regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), develop and implement inclusive political communication frameworks that prioritise civic education, ethical political messaging, and media literacy. These institutions should also monitor and regulate political advertisements and campaign communications to reduce misinformation and promote issue-based engagement that encourages citizen participation