THE INFLUENCE OF SOBI FM'S EDITORIAL REVIEW ON THE SENSITIZATION OF ELECTORATES IN ILORIN DURING THE 2023 GENERAL ELECTION.

This study examined the Influence of Sobi FM's Editorial Review on the Sensitization of Electorates in Ilorin during the 2023 General Election. The study explored the Framing Theory popularized by Erving Goffman (1974). The theory explains how media and organizations shape the meaning and perception of issues and events through various techniques. With the study under investigation, the theory uncovers how Sobi FM’s Editorial Review helped to sensitize electorates in Ilorin during the 2023 general election. Using the questionnaire administered to 400 respondents, the research investigated listenership patterns, impact on political knowledge and engagement, and influence on voting behaviour. Key findings include high program engagement (70% listening to most/all episodes), significant self-reported increases in political knowledge (80%) and understanding of civic responsibilities (78.75%), and substantial influence on voting decisions (71.25%). The study revealed the program's effectiveness in motivating political participation, with 82.5% reporting increased motivation and 75% attributing their voter registration and voting to program influence. While the sample skewed male (65%), young (80% under 30), and educated (87.5% secondary or higher), the results strongly suggest the program's pivotal role in shaping political engagement. However, the study recommended expanding and enhancing the editorial review program, improving audience representation, and exploring multi-platform engagement and comparative analysis. Additionally, the suggestions for further research harped on examining the role of media content quality and the voters' behaviour in the Ilorin metropolis, the assessment of long-term behavioural changes of electorates and the significance of media awareness and influence of audience feedback mechanism on the effectiveness of voter engagement.