ABSTRACT
The research focused on the impact of
radio on mobilization of the electorate for elections using GOLD FM, UNIQUE F.M
and OSBC as a case study. Without doubt mass media particularly radio plays a
very prominent role in political and socio-economic development of society. Because of the accessibility of radio
signal in every nooks and crannies of society it is very rich in educating, enlightening,
mobilizing the electorates for political participation. Survey research method
was adopted coupled with 150 copies of questionnaire that were printed and
administered to the respondents in each of the radio station (GOLD FM, UNIQUE
F.M and OSBC) in which 130 copies were returned. The data were analyzed using
table, frequency and percentage method. Findings showed that Mass media especially radio provides
avenue for the illiterate citizen to get information about political
activities, it did educate and sensitize masses on various activities such as
registration, how to handle voter’s card, what to wear during election, how to
participate in political rally and campaign, to the activities on election day,
coverage of election result, coverage of post election activities like violence
and tribunal. In short it brings electoral activities to the door step of the
electorate. It is therefore
recommended that there should be
more radio to serve different taste and language and radio should be free from
few influential politicians to avoid turning the media into tools of
propaganda.
