Musical Forms in Songs for Political Mobilisation during 2011 General Elections in Nigeria
TITUS, OLUSEGUN STEPHEN; BELLO, OMOTOYOSI ABAYOMI

Abstract
The world faces a wide variety of security and violence threats. This is evident from series of international attention it has generated over the last decades. Politic and electioneering is one of the major issues on conflict especially in Nigeria. Elections campaigns goes with songs which some time results into violence. Music is also a powerful force for political mobilization which can also result into violence due to the textual ability of the songs. This study examines the forms of music for electioneering. The scope of this paper are selected presidential and gubernatorial election songs in Nigeria. Findings revealed that music performances during the 2011 general election in Nigeria has different musical forms and really helped in mobilizing the citizens. We recommend that INEC should scrutinize some political jingles and songs before they are aired. Also politicians should know that the songs can cause harm and violence and should avoid such. Likewise musicians should compose political songs in the spirit of sportsmanship.

Full Text: PDF