EVALUATION OF ELECTORATES’ PERCEPTION OF SELECT BROADCAST CAMPAIGN ON ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN SOUTH SOUTH NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This work is an empirical study that evaluate electorate perception of select broadcast campaign on electoral violence and how such campaign have been able to stem the tide of violence which has characterized our political history in Nigeria as most youths who constitute over seventy percent of the voting population have been made to see election as a “do or die” affair, which has resorted to various form of electoral vices and violence. The study covers three states in south south Nigeria as it areas of study, which are: Edo, Delta and River State respectively. The objectives of the study amongst others was to ascertain audience exposure to the campaign on electoral violence, to ascertain the issue being canvassed in the campaign against electoral violence by the broadcast media, to ascertain audience perception of the campaign messages and find out the attitude of the audience towards electoral violence. The study evaluated two major campaign which are; “Vote not Fight, Election nor be War” by Tuface Idibia and Political Treachery, a movie starring Alex Osifo and Pete Edoche produced and directed by Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, significantly addressing the issue of political violence and the need to shun it. The study employed the survey research method and questionnaire was the instrument used in eliciting responses from respondents that were drawn from the nine local government areas chosen by the researcher to be the sample size for the study. five research questions were drawn, and hypothesis were as well tested using the chi-square method and data retrieve were analyse using the simple percentage method. The study employed the agenda setting theory and the attitude change theory as it theoretical background. Various empirical researches were review and compared. The findings reveal that broadcast campaign against electoral violence has been helpful in curbing violence during electioneering process with a view to the 2019 general election. From the finding, recommendations were put forward which includes that broadcast media should give room for more campaigns that are geared towards enlightening Nigerians about their political right and how to behave politically, political actors should be meant to join in the campaign against electoral violence on various TV stations and also issue notes of warning and enlightenment on why members of the public must abstain from every form of electoral violence, and political orientation programmes should be organize to enlighten citizens, particularly, the youths on the dangers of electoral violence and the risk involve, when one chooses to make his/her self available to be used as political thug.