This study, examined how exposure to WhatsApp broadcasts shaped voters’ perceptions of political candidates and their engagement in political communication. Guided by the Diffusion of Innovations Theory, the study explored how WhatsApp, as a rapidly diffusing digital innovation, functioned as a tool for political mobilisation, information exchange, and opinion formation during the election period. Employing a quantitative research design, the study used a multi-stage sampling technique to select 400 respondents across the three states, with data collected through structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including regression analysis. The findings revealed that WhatsApp served as a dominant channel of political communication during the 2023 presidential election, with 68.9% of respondents confirming frequent exposure to broadcast messages and 62.2% indicating that such messages positively influenced their perceptions of political candidates. The regression analysis (β = 0.472, p = 0.000) established a statistically significant relationship between exposure to WhatsApp broadcasts and voter perception. These findings affirm the relevance of the Diffusion of Innovations Theory, as WhatsApp’s relative advantage, ease of use, and compatibility with voters’ communication habits accelerated its adoption and effectiveness as a medium for political messaging. The researchers conclude that WhatsApp significantly influenced political engagement and perception formation during the 2023 election, reshaping traditional modes of political communication into more interactive, peer-driven networks. It recommends that political campaigners and policymakers strategically employ WhatsApp for voter education and engagement, while also developing mechanisms to counter misinformation and enhance the credibility of political communication on digital platforms.