ASSESSMENT OF TRADITIONAL COMMUNICATION AS A TOOL FOR GRASSROOT POLITICS IN NIGERIA

This study assessed traditional communication as a tool for grassroots mobilization in Ezeagu Local Government Area. The survey research method was adopted for the execution of the study with the questionnaire as an instrument of data collection. The simple percentage and table was used to present and analyze collected data. Chi-square statistical formula was used to test the four hypotheses. The population of this study was 169,718 out of which 400 was selected as the sample size with the help of Taro Yamane formula. The finding of this study revealed among others that traditional communication is effective in mobilizing residents of South East Nigeria for active participation during election. It was also discovered that to a very large extent, during election. Most importantly, the results of this study demonstrated that the use of traditional communication to mobilise South East residents during elections is hindered by a number of significant issues, including the lack of a standard technical vocabulary, the inability to travel great distances, and the non-replicability of messages generated during transmission. The researcher suggested, among other things, that sufficient enlightenment and sensitisation programs be implemented in order to inform rural residents about the benefits of political mobilisation initiatives. These programs should be carried out through the most effective and pertinent traditional media.