Political Songs and Gubernatorial Elections: Influence of Taliya Ba ta Zabe on Candidate Preference in Kano State
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Abstract
Political songs and lyrics have long been fundamental features of politics and election campaigns in Nigeria. Music and song are also regarded as universal features of every culture and have been integrated into politics and politicking, particularly in democratic societies. The relationship between music and politics dates back to ancient times, serving as a bridge between the processes involved in democratic elections and those associated with democratic governance. This study examined the influence of the Taliya Bata Zabe song on voters’ preferences for gubernatorial candidates in Kano State during the 2023 election. The study was guided by the Sociological Model of Voting Behaviour and employed a social survey as the method of inquiry. The population of the study comprised all eligible voters in the 2023 general elections residing in Kano metropolis, which consists of eight local government areas. A sample of 560 respondents was conveniently selected using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) formula to determine the sample size. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis and interpretation. The study found that 35.7% of the respondents believed the song was well known among the electorate. Additionally, 78.2% of the electorate reported substantial exposure to the song. The study also found that 37.7% of the electorate was influenced in their choice of gubernatorial candidate by the endorsement persuasion employed in the song during the 2023 gubernatorial elections in Kano State.
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