By Chuks Osuji
According to Frederick Kings, “Public Opinion is the barometer which measures the actions of a Government, guides the Government to pursue those meaningful policies which the people approve, alert the Government of the trends he should focus its attention to, in the process of serving the people.”
But according to V. O Kay, “it is the cumulative opinion of relevant members of the public on specific or general issues of public concern.”
The operating phrase here is, “relevant members of the public.”
Today in Imo State, there are several issues of public discourse. But without doubt, the most rampantly discussed is the condition of roads in our State. When it comes to the issue of roads, perhaps every citizen is involved because everybody uses the roads.
In this case, we are not talking about relevant members of the public. One needs to enter into any of the public transportation vehicles plying from Owerri, the State Capital to any Local Government Areas in the State, such as Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu.
No matter from which spot the vehicle takes off, the dominant topic of discussion will definitely be the condition of roads. Definitely, once the vehicle leaves its loading point, and enters any road leading to its destination, it will not be anything more than few yards, when the vehicle will begin to dance “meringe, ajasco or atilogwu.”
The condition of the road would determine which musical rhythm the vehicle would dance to. Once the vehicle leaves the park, the dancing begins.
It does not matter which town, village or the location of the park, the general conditions of the roads are the same. Then, the criticism of the Government would get in right there, passengers would say all manner of things the real target of the blame is the Government.
Nobody, but nobody would condone the inaction or lack of actions of a government. No, absolutely No. But we do not take into cognizance to the fact that the present Government of Emeka Ihedioha has just being on the saddle for just six (6) months.
Do we recognize the fact that the conditions of our roads in Imo State today are by-products of the lack of actions or inactions of the immediate past Government? In addition, generally, we believe that certainly, this year’s rainy season has been very abnormal, stretching beyond October.
But when people try to criticize the present Government of the condition of the road, they throw reasons over board without injecting any rational thinking. Yes, nobody can blame them because, “The Governor they know today is Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and the Government they know is that led by him.
Therefore, they may make reference to the incompetence of the past Government in respect of the conditions of the roads in the State, but the Government they know is the current one which they massively voted into office few months ago.
On the other hand, they are wrong but on the other hand they are right because according to Hunter Greece, “The Opinion of the Public on the existing Government or a Leader is usually transient of the people’s general perception of that Government.”
Furthermore, he argues, “the best way to determine the quantum, favorable or unfavorable opinion is through an empirical measurement of the people’s opinion.” Because, people’s reaction to issues of public discourse is very dynamic and ephemeral.
In the morning, they may say one thing and in the afternoon they may say a different thing and in the evening, their opinion may change. Because, every given society comprises of different persons with different views and opinion on any particular issue.
Definitely, every new elected Government passes through different stages on the scale of Public Opinion Measurement. First, when they come in newly, the general opinion is usually high given the aura of Election Victory.
After some time, perhaps between 3 and 6 months, public opinion may begin to diminish or by and large could remain neutrally balanced. Because at that time, some elements of skepticism may be setting in, but in most cases, favorable public opinion may be static or gradual rescinding because members of the public are not sure of the trust of the new Government or they may remain ambivalent.
This flexibility (up & down) in the opinion of the public may be due to the fact that majority of the people are just waiting to see which way the Government goes. However, in a more civilized polity, more people may be skeptical or neutral; preferring to wait and watch about the time the new Government has stabilized at least within one year.
If the Government maintains a steady and progress course of action, it will begin to build a Favorable Public Opinion. This favorable Public Opinion is likely to involve a lot of people who are seeing progressive movement in the Government Policies.
Subsequently, the upward movement of the favorable Public Opinion will continue to oscillate in accordance with the approval or disapproval rating of the Government by the people.
Today, the new Government of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha is at a stage where its favorable Public Opinion rating has not stabilized because his programs of actions are somewhat perplexing to many.
However, one thing is certain, people’s criticism of his handing the repairs and fixing of Imo roads is not and could not be said to be enjoying steady approval. However, since the nature (rain) has been very unfavorable, and given the fact that the unpopularity of the last Government is heavy and down to the grass root; in fact, people are not willing to condemn the present Government for so many reasons. In the first place, 6 months is too early to measure or determine the performance of the new Government.
Secondly, the magnitude of incompetence and ineffectiveness of the former Government is a constant reminder to the people that the policy of rebuilding Imo will not be easy.
Thirdly, on one single item of roads in Imo state, the opinion is evenly divided to how much the state Government has being able to accomplish; if anything at all. Besides, the unfavorable nature of weather this year stunned people’s prediction and imagination.
However, as expected, sooner or later, the weather may improve. And since the Government is taking action in spite of porous nature of the roads due to heavy rain pour, the people are gradually expressing hope with what they have observed now as spitted efforts are being made to fix Imo roads.
Normatively, the trend of favourable or unfair public opinion in Imo state will have its bearing on how much the Government fixes the Imo roads.
We expect a better tomorrow on our roads!
.Dr. Osuji, writes from Owerri.
