The use of social media in politics has continued to grow in recent times. Since
Barack Obama broke the world record in the history of social media use for political purpose
during the 2008 US presidential elections, many nations and politicians across the globe have
continued to embrace the platform to mobilise their citizens and candidates towards active
participation in the political process. Nigeria had the first real test of social media use for
political participation during the 2011general elections. This study examines the experiment of
social media use for political participation in the country during the 2011 general elections. The
study was anchored on the uses and gratifications theory. The survey research method was used.
Findings show that whereas many used the technology to make vital input in the political
discourse, others used them to attack opponents, spread false rumours, hate and inciting
messages which were believed to have contributed in the violence and tensions witnessed before,
during and after the elections in many parts of the country. The work recommends urgent review
of the various media laws to address the peculiar technicalities involved in monitoring and
moderating the use of different social media platforms.