Poll size: 1207

Given the lack of information and data about Plateau people’s perception of the current state of affairs and developments on the Plateau, ViewPointNigeria thought it was expedient to commission this opinion poll to gauge people’s opinion of the Jang administration. This opinion poll is especially relevant, given that the 2015 election is round the corner and may very well give an indication to how voters may likely “lean” in the coming elections. The poll also serves as a political indicator for Plateau politicians to understand the yearnings of the Plateau electorate ahead of the elections.

The Good Governance Opinion poll was conducted via questionaires, face-to-face interviews, online (Facebook and emails) and by telephone during periods spanning July to August 2013 by Landar Polling Associates on behalf of ViewPointNigeria. The poll had a size of approximately 1,207 likely voters, who were carefully chosen to be representative of the Plateau voter population. The sample comprised local farmers, market women, civil servants, youth, students and political office holders. The sampling error of the survey has been pegged at +/- 5%.

Poll size: 1207

Given the lack of information and data about Plateau people’s perception of the current state of affairs and developments on the Plateau, ViewPointNigeria thought it was expedient to commission this opinion poll to gauge people’s opinion of the Jang administration. This opinion poll is especially relevant, given that the 2015 election is round the corner and may very well give an indication to how voters may likely “lean” in the coming elections. The poll also serves as a political indicator for Plateau politicians to understand the yearnings of the Plateau electorate ahead of the elections.

The Good Governance Opinion poll was conducted via questionaires, face-to-face interviews, online (Facebook and emails) and by telephone during periods spanning July to August 2013 by Landar Polling Associates on behalf of ViewPointNigeria. The poll had a size of approximately 1,207 likely voters, who were carefully chosen to be representative of the Plateau voter population. The sample comprised local farmers, market women, civil servants, youth, students and political office holders. The sampling error of the survey has been pegged at +/- 5%.

Question 1

The general perception of people about the Jang administration overwhelmingly suggests that he has scored key gains in infrastructural development. This is hardly surprising given the large capital projects, which have been completed in Jos/Bukuru metropolis and other Local Government areas. Examples of these include : the New Zaria road stadium, overhead bridges, dualised roads in Airport Junction, Rayfield, Du and other minor roads in most local government councils.
People (predominantly farmers) have also mentioned agriculture as a key sector of achievement for the present administration. They mentioned key projects such as the agricultural partnership with the Israeli company (ASTC) as a key achievement, along with the FADAMA II project in Plateau state, which was assessed as the best in the country.

Question 2

In respect of leadership and governance, he again scores high marks (47%), perhaps due to the “strength of his character”, “resolve” and “political will” to take difficult decisions, specifically his implementation of the Jos Master Plan (which involved the demolition of illegal houses/structures), spearheading the calls for the installation of Goodluck Jonathan as president during Yar’adua’s incapacitation in Germany (at a time when all other state governors chose to remain quiet and reticent).

On the contrary, a significant number of respondents (36%) equally disapproved of this leadership style. No apparent reasons for this could be inferred but controversial happenings such as the recent NGF elections, accusations of harbouring a tribalistic agenda and excluding key Plateau stakeholders from governance may not have done him big favours.

Question 3

The majority of people polled have disapproved of the governments handling of the security situation of the state. This again is hardly surprising, given that attacks against Plateau citizens have continued unabated in the past few years. The attacks which have decimated the Berom population in the Northern senatorial zone, specifically in villages such as Kuru, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Jos South etc have gradually shifted to both the central senatorial zone (Bokkos and Mangu) and the Southern senatorial zones (Langtang North, Langtang South and Wase). This has created anxiety and apprehension in the minds of people who reside in these areas. These people see government as the only resort in sorting out the problem, however they have been perpetually disappointed.

It should however be pointed out that the crisis in the state pre-dates the present administration and that even though the Governor is the Chief-Security-Officer of the state, he has no control over the police or army within his jurisdiction. Therefore the angst and disapproval of people towards the present administration in terms of security may be misplaced and unjustified, however to better understand people’s angst, perhaps a follow on question will be necessary –this shall be covered in our next survey.

Question 4

Over half of the people polled thought the Jang administration was not running an all inclusive government. Several of them averred that there was an obvious ethnic agenda that is easily seen in appointments of commissioners, permanent secretaries and the award of contracts etc.

Another large section of respondents, said they were disappointed by his handling of the education sector. They averred that the primary school calendar has now been skewed because pupils were at home for several months and therefore missed out on a whole calendar year –putting them behind their peers in other states. Additionally, the woeful performance of Plateau state in the recent WAEC and NECO examinations have also been pointed out. Plateau state came second to the last in the NECO exams and a similar position in the WAEC examinations.

There was however, very encouraging showings for the administration in the area of vision, where it would appear the majority of respondents consider him to be a visionary leader, given his resurrection of several comatose industries and sectors e.g., the resurrection of the Plateau Standard, JIB (currently in the process) and the capital projects in Jos.

Question 5

Overall, the “temperature” and pulse of the Plateau people appears to suggest that Jonah Jang has done a good job in advancing the state beyond its previous position. People seem confident has he had contributed positively to the development of the state in several sectors. His key legacies appear to be in the areas of infrastructural development and agriculture. Some respondents even went as far as saying if he were running for a third term, they would vote for him overwhelmingly. 

ViewPointNigeria wishes to express gratitude and thanks to all those who participated in this survey -we shall be undertaking additional surveys in the near future and will still count on your kind cooperation.

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Opinion Poll – The results of the “ViewPointNigeria Good Governance Poll”