X as the New Town Crier: Exploring the Influence of Twitter on Political Mobilization and Agenda Setting in Nigeria

Abstract

This study explores the role of X (formerly Twitter) as a contemporary town crier and examines its influence on political mobilization and agenda setting in Nigeria’s sociopolitical landscape. Drawing parallels between indigenous communication systems, in which the town crier served as a trusted channel for community information, and contemporary digital platforms, the study positions X as an important space for shaping political narratives, fostering civic engagement, and amplifying grassroots movements. Using the Obidient Movement as a case study, the paper examines how decentralized online discourse, trending hashtags, and viral tweets contributed to youth participation, challenged mainstream media narratives, and reshaped political communication during the 2023 general elections. Through discourse analysis and key informant interviews, the study identifies the mechanisms through which X influences public opinion, constructs political identities, and sets priorities for national conversation. The findings show that X supports real-time interaction and broad-based mobilization, but also presents challenges associated with misinformation, echo chambers, and digital exclusion. The paper concludes that X can influence decisions to support political candidates, although such decisions are also shaped by political ideology, social background, and personal experience. It therefore proposes a hybrid communication model that integrates traditional oral communication systems with digital technologies to promote inclusive and culturally grounded political engagement in Southeast Nigeria.