CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

Election as a Mass Mobilization and participatory activity usually start when an

electoral system is put in place and serves as a mechanism for shaping political

competition power sharing and resource allocation by definition election is the act of

choosing or selecting one or more persons from a greater number of person to serve as

representatives in the taking of decisions that affect public interest and the allocation of

national power and resources in acceptable manner (israel2009 p.113).

Robert and John (1974) in Ntete-Nna (2004p.289) report that the essential role

of election is to act as a mechanism whereby leaders are circumscribed and made aware

that there is a contingent one at least where there is real possibility that they may be

outside from office.

Television plays different roles in the lives of its audience to many; it could be an

educative informative as well as an entertainment medium. Although the use of

television alone may not create total awareness to individuals as a result of its

restraining factor such as expensiveness irregular power supply and so on. It is believed

that the television will create more sensitized atmosphere for information on issues

affecting the society at large this is where Nigerian Television Authority (N.T.A) Makurdi

comes in as a mobiliser of the electorate for political elections.

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BRIEF HISTORY OF NIGERIAN TELEVISION AUTHORITY (N.T.A)

In 1976 more states were created and the number of the states increased from 12 to 19

states this witnessed the emergence of state owned television stations and prompted

the federal government to take over the television stations in 1977 establishing the

Nigerian television authority (N.T.A). One of the roles of Nigerian Television Authority

(N.T.A) is to inform the citizens about the importance of elections and why they should

vote. N.T.A should also educate the masses on the codes of conduct as stated by the

Nigerian electoral act and brief them about candidates of the competing parties as well

as their party manifestoes.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The incessant problem of electoral malpractices associated with godfatherism for

instance snatching of ballot boxes political thuggery rigging and so on was often caused

by little or no enlightenment on the choices we make as electorates. Poor political

education of the procedures involved in the election such as the process of registering

obtaining a voters card accreditation the right pattern of voting have constituted

serious problems in our voting activities. The Mass Media as the voice of the people play

important roles in the entire political activities.it is part of the duty of the Media to

sufficiently mobilize the electorate for the electoral activities the question this research

seeks to answer is: how has the N.T.A Makurdi effectively mobilized the electorate for

successful electoral activities during elections in Makurdi local Government Area of

Benue state.

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1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives of the study were as follows:

1. To find out whether N.T.A Makurdi was a choice of medium for the people of Makurdi

local Government Area.

2. To find out if N.T.A Makurdi political messages satisfied the people’s political desires.

3. To determine the extent N.T.A Makurdi effectively mobilized the people’s

participation in the electoral process of 2011 election.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. To what extent was N.T.A Makurdi a choice medium for the people of Makurdi

Local Government Area?

2. How did N.T.A Makurdi political messages satisfy the people’s political desires?

3. To what extent did N.T.A Makurdi effectively mobilize the people’s participation in

the electoral process of 2011?

1.5SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study focused on Makurdi local Government Area and the electorate of local

Government. Although the study is limited to the electorate in Makurdi Local

Government Area it is assumed that in Nigeria generally the electorate has similar

characteristics. Based on this assumption the result of the findings could be

generalized.

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1.6SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings of the study would be significant in several ways.

1. It would serve as a reference material both for students and other researchers who

may have need for information and documentations on this area of academic

study.

2. The findings would also be helpful to other media organizations in their planning

and execution of electoral programs

3. The findings would also offer the electorate the opportunity to air their views on

the way and manner media organizations handle election programs.

1.7 OPERATIONAL DEFINATIONOF SIGNIFICAL TERMS

Broadcast: this involves sending out programs information ideas to the public through

the mass media for instance; television radio internet etc.

Conflict: it is a situation of disagreement occurring between entities people group or

organization.

Elections: this is a system of choosing a person or group of people for positions in the

society by a legal way of voting.

Enfranchise: this is the right given to an individual to participate in elections.

Electorate: these are the people in a given area or country who have the right to vote.

Malpractise: a system of ill behavior that does not foster positive responsiveness.

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Media: It is the vehicle through which messages information ideas demands and so on

are passed across to the masses.

Mobilization: an act of organizing a group of people to partake in a task or incident in

other to achieve a desired goal or objective.

Politics: these are activities connected with the state government or general affairs. It

usually involves competition between different parties on leadership positions based on

election.

Region: a large area of land usually without exact boarders that a country is usually

divided into comprising of its own customs and government. For example in Nigeria we

have the northern region.

Stigmatization: a feeling of unimportance un-acceptance usually caused by the

treatment that people give to you.

Television: it is an essential part of mass media which transmit pictures and sound

signals over long distance through electromagnetic radiation. It is a medium of

communication that enhances believability through its sight and sound appeal.

Democracy: a political system in which the people of the country rule through any form

of government they choose to establish.

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