PLANET FM RADIO PROGRAMME “PEOPLE’S PARLIAMENT” AND VOTERS EDUCATION IN IKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

This study aims to examine the influence of Planet FM Radio Programme ‘People’s Parliament’ and Voters Education in Ika Local Government Area. To facilitate the purpose of the study, the objective was to; to examine the extent to which Planet FM radio programme 'Peoples' Parliament' educates Ika people on voting. The study formulated some research questions to guide the work. The study adopted a survey research method. The population of this study comprises of voters in the urban and rural communities in Ika L.G.A Akwa Ibom state. According to 2023 projected population of voters in Ika Local Government Area made available by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), voters in Ika L.G.A. has the total projected population of Forty Thousand Nine Hundred and Twelve (40,912) registered voters, with a sample size of three hundred and eighty-four (384) selected through Yaro Yamani guide. The Local Government Area, was cluster into three (3) Clans and considered appropriate for the presentation of the entire population. Non-probability sampling technique and purposive sampling procedure was used in selecting participants for the study. Uses and Gratification and Agenda setting theories were suitable for the study. A structured questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection with 12 questions. Three hundred and eighty-four (384) copies of questionnaire were administered to the residents of Ika and three hundred and seventy-five (375) copies were found useful for the study. Data gathered were processed and converted to percentages which were placed on tables. The findings reveal that; Ika people react positively to "People's Parliament" because the program educates them on rich information concerning conflicts during elections and other political activities, and helps sustain peaceful co-existence. Thus, the study recommended that there should be an expansion of content focused specifically on peace building, political education, and election-related conflict resolution.