THE COUP D ETAT-RADIO BROADCAST NEXUS IN NIGERIA: A HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 1966-1993.

The study conducts a critical analysis on the nexus that lies between coup d??tat and radio broadcasts. Historically, Nigeria, after gaining independence from colonial rule have recorded several military coup d??tats beginning with the January 15, 1966 coup which brought an end to its first republic down to the 1993 coup which deposed the Interim National Government (ING). Henceforward, the trend of coups and counter coups (mutiny) would later go on to characterized the Nigeria?s political landscape. Based on observation, most literatures on military involvements in politics in Nigeria have inadvertently omitted the importance of radio broadcasts during coup processes in Nigerian. Therefore, this study argues that while other variables (i.e. conspirators, guns and ammunitions, among others) are very vital during coup d??tat, the role of media, in this case, radio houses/facilities must also be regarded as very crucial assets required during coup execution.The study adopts a historical and narrative analysis methodology, and findings reveal that in the course of strategizing to topple a sitting government, conspirators always brings into their plans the capturing of radio houses which they considered a very vital medium to help spread the philosophy behind their actions to the general public; considering the fact that the radio is a nore convenient medium with a fast, cheap and wider audience coverage. In light of the foregone, this study examines how the respective coup plotters employed radio broadcast in shaping the perception of the Nigerian citizenry.