As uncertainty and a state of quandary continues to pervade the Plateau political space, ViewPointNigeria investigates (through an opinion poll), what type of Governor Plateau electorate would want to see in 2015.

In this poll, four key questions were asked to a large section of Plateau electorate through face-to-face interviews, by social media (Facebook) and over the telephone; the opinion poll had a poll size of 2535 and comprised individuals from all works of life including –students, civil servants, market women, academia, religious leaders (mainly from the kwanan Shagari Mosque and a selection of COCIN Churches within and outside Jos). Below are findings of the opinion poll.

As uncertainty and a state of quandary continues to pervade the Plateau political space, ViewPointNigeria investigates (through an opinion poll), what type of Governor Plateau electorate would want to see in 2015.

In this poll, four key questions were asked to a large section of Plateau electorate through face-to-face interviews, by social media (Facebook) and over the telephone; the opinion poll had a poll size of 2535 and comprised individuals from all works of life including –students, civil servants, market women, academia, farmers, religious leaders (mainly from the kwanan Shagari Mosque and a selection of COCIN Churches within and outside Jos). Below are findings of the opinion poll.

(1) What type of person should the next Governor of Plateau state be?

Majority of people polled (41%) have suggested that they would want to see continuity in governance –i.e., saying they would want to see “A person who is able to continue with the vision/programmes of the current administration”. They therefore appeared open to the idea that someone who has served in the current administration perhaps runs for the seat. A few of the names mentioned in this regard included Amb. I. Longjan, GNS Pwajok, Prof. S. Best amongst several others.

Approx. 21% however stated that they would rather see “A Visionary and Intelligent Individual” take over the helms of affairs of the state. Most of the people who answered as such, were professionals (i.e., lawyers, doctors, bankers etc) and intellectuals –they argued that if the governorship candidate had a high intellectual quotient (IQ) and was visionary, then he or she would achieve a lot more. The names peddled in this category, included the likes of Sen. G N S Pwajok, Dr. Daniel Kutchin, Mr. Victor Lar, Prof. Wapmuk, Prof. Tyoden and Prof. Shedrach best etc.

13% however opined that “A Seasoned and Experienced Politician” was better suited for the seat. Our analysis showed that most of the people who responded in this manner were in the age bracket 50 years and over. They appeared cynical about the capability of young politicians, citing several instances where young politicians have had opportunities in the past and have consistently disappointed. Some of the names peddled as potential candidates in this regard included Amb. I. Longjan, Mr. Haruna Dabin, Sir Fidelis Tapgun, Prof. Wapmuk and Mrs. Pauline Tallen etc.

Additionally, 13% of people have argued in favour of “A good listener who carries everyone along”. These people argue that government in the current dispensation has been lopsided and that there was need to have someone who was decentralised and represented the interest of all and Sundry.

(2) In your choice of who becomes Governor of Plateau state, does tribe or religion matter?

An overwhelming percentage of people polled have made it clear that they would factor tribal and religious sentiments into their decision at the 2015 polls. 72% of people polled answered in the affirmative, with only a paltry 26% saying these factors were not relevant. Unsurprisingly, a large percentage of people who have confirmed they would be voting as such were mainly concentrated in areas which have been affected by the unending attacks e.g., Riyom, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Wase, Langtang South and Jos South. They openly finger religion as the main cause of the crisis and as such have made clear that they would only vote for people of their own faith. Additionally responses obtained from individuals who filled out forms at the Kwanan Shagari Mosque and some COCIN churches also showed that an overwhelming majority of these individuals would also factor such sentiments into their decision. Some of these individuals have opined that their communities have been long neglected in the state affairs and that it was time that them to be given an opportunity to govern.

(3) Is the zoning of the Governorship seat to the Southern senatorial zone still relevant?

The issue of whether the Governorship seat be zoned to the Southern senatorial zone was quite a contentious one. 53% have argued that it be upheld; while 43% argued that it has become irrelevant, with 4% saying they were unsure. This was the question with the closest number of “Yay” and “Nay” sayers.

However it was observed that the overwhelming majority of the people who answered in the affirmative were people who hailed from the Southern Senatorial zone, with a few others from the central senatorial zone. People from the central senatorial zone were found to flip flop between saying yes and no. And therefore implies that they may be the ultimate deciders in the polls. Undoubtedly, if they back the Northern zone, the odds may be against the South and vice versa, so they appear to be deciders in the current debacle. That said, there are a few individuals from the central zone who are equally angling to have a shot at the position and this may further skew the political dynamics –the likes of Daniel Kutchin, Prof. Tyoden, Prof. Shedrach Best amongst others.

People in the Southern zone argue that since the Central and Northern zones have had two terms through Chief Joshua Dariye and Da Jonah Jang, the governorship must go full circle and re-commence where it initially started (i.e., in the Southern zone when S D Lar was elected) as opposed to restarting from where it ended (i.e., with Jonah Jang).

(4) If the Gubernatorial elections were to hold today, how would you vote?

When asked this question, a lot of people (mainly professionals and intellectuals) averred that “They would vote for who they think the best candidate is”. These individuals appear to be a lot more open minded and devoid of the general tribal and religious sentiments which permeate the Plateau space. A similar outlook was observed amidst people who are not necessary Plateau indigenes but have resided in Jos for a long time. These individuals have affirmed that their only interest is to see a much improved Plateau and therefore do not care about local interest or sentiments.

Consistent with question 2 above, most respondents from the Southern zone who affirmed that the existing zoning arrangement was relevant, have indicated that they would vote in line with “the purported zoning arrangement”. These individuals have made clear that it is their turn to govern the state and they would stop at nothing but to make this a reality.

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The person Plateau people want as Governor after Jang – ViewPointNigeria Opinion Poll