Evaluation of Splash 105.5 FM’ Oro Sun Nu Kun Indigenous Radio Programme Voters’ Education Contents Prior to 2015 Governorship Elections in Oyo State

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Abstract

Featuring of indigenous radio programmes (IRPs) on several radio stations in South-Western Nigeria is not new, as they are presumed to promote public enlightenments on civic education and governance. However, some of the IRPs
are not likely to have been studied in terms of the programme contents and personalities involved. Therefore, this study evaluated Splash 105.5 FM’s Oro Sun Nu Kun IRP voters’ education contents prior to 2015 Governorship election
in Oyo State. The study adopted qualitative research approach of content analysis, sample comprised of purposively selected twenty-two (22) weekly radio programme episodes spanning four months and five programme personnel and personalities. Data was collected using two instruments namely; Indigenous Radio Programme Contents Analysis Checklist (InRaProCAC) and Key Electioneering Personalities Interview Schedule (KEPIS). Data was analysed quantitatively. Findings revealed that Splash 105.5. FM’ Oro Sun Nu Kun IRP adequately and extensively featured voters’ education contents prior to 2015 Governorship election in Oyo State. Findings further revealed that the predominant voters’ education contents include; creating of awareness on voters’ and citizen’ right to vote,
importance of free, fair and credible elections, maintaining of permanent voter’s card (PVC), handling of ballot papers, making informed decision on choice of candidate, voters’ conduct before, during and after elections, warning against
political violence; thuggery, hooliganism and ballot box snatching, consequences of vote buying and selling and other electoral offenses as well as featuring of governorship candidates of major political parties. Lastly, perception of stakeholders from key personality interviews was positive and unanimous on the extensiveness and richness of the programme voters’ education contents. The study recommended that radio stations should increase the strength of their indigenous programmes to further propagate voters’ education in Nigeria.