Perception of hate speech in the 2023 presidential political campaigns on voter behaviour in Nigeria

The 2023 general elections in Nigeria were characterised by a surge in hate speech, particularly across digital platforms, significantly shaping the political landscape and influencing voter behaviour. The study highlights how ethno-religious and politically motivated hate speech deepened societal divisions, fostered misinformation, and contributed to voter apathy and fear-driven electoral choices. On social media platforms, individuals and organisations believe that freedom of speech entitles them to speak their minds without any restrictions whatsoever. During elections, this freedom of expression plays out without any hindrance, pervading social media platforms with hate speech rhetoric, misinformation, and disinformation. This study examines how voters’ exposure to political hate speech during the 2023 presidential election campaigns, as disseminated through traditional media, social platforms, and campaign rhetoric, shaped the attitude of voters, their trust in the ability of the candidates to deliver, and their level of electoral participation. Using the Functional Theory of Campaign Discourse, the study analyses the system through which inflammatory language divides public opinion, reinforces divisions in political party groups (among supporters), and destroys the confidence voters have in the Nigerian electoral processes. Based on the pragmatic approach of research design, survey method, and content analysis of hate speech in the 2023 presidential election campaigns will be adopted, and results show pervasive use of hate speech by the political class and how this results in low voter turnout.