Abstract

Political communication and persuasion are essential aspects of democratic governance and civic engagement. They involve the use of various media and strategies to inform, influence, and mobilize citizens on political issues and actors. However, political communication and persuasion can also be used for unethical and coercive purposes, such as manipulating public opinion, spreading misinformation, and inciting violence. This paper examines the role and impact of political communication and persuasion in Nigeria, a country with a history of political instability, corruption, and violence. It explores how different actors, such as politicians, media, civil society, and citizens, use various forms of communication and persuasion to shape public opinion, mobilize support, and influence policy outcomes. It also analyzes the ethical implications of political communication and persuasion in Nigeria, considering the challenges of misinformation, propaganda, hate speech, and coercion. The paper draws on relevant theories and empirical studies to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and future prospects of political communication and persuasion in Nigeria.

Ethics, politics, political communication, political persuasion and media