KATSINA—Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State has received an overwhelming approval rating for his performance.
In a state-wide perception audit/survey that sought the opinion of 1,000 people across the 34 local government councils on the performance rating of Governor Shema, legislators, commissioners, local government chairmen and councillors, Governor Shema scored a 75 per cent approval rating.

Also an average 81 per cent of respondents endorsed the Governor’s re-election in 2011 should he decide to run as against 60 per cent and 43 per cent for local government chairmen and councillors, respectively.

On welfare

The survey also sought the views of the people on the economic and social sectors performance, governance and budgetary allocation priority as well as the re-election chances of the state legislators, local government chairmen and councillors.

Respondents were also requested to suggest to the state and local governments and what they thought governance should give priority to in serving the people of the state.
On governance, the state administration scored 72 per cent for its participatory approach, while transparency and accountability received a 60 per cent rating.

Scores highest in education

Developments in the education sector received the highest average rating of 72 per cent with the provision of drinkable water receiving the lowest average percentage of 58 across the three Senatorial zones of Katsina, Daura and Funtua.

The state government also scored 61 per cent on effectiveness and efficiency.
Respondents recommended that the state government should sensitise stakeholders on its activities through the use of town hall meetings and enhanced media coverage of developments.

The high point of the audit was the enthusiasm respondents showed on how glad they were to have a voice in the governance of the state with that of the urban educated and the not-so-educated being evident.

Survey methodology

Over 70 per cent of respondents wanted the state government to increase budgetary allocation to education, healthcare, water, agriculture and science and technology. Specifically, 84 per cent voted for an increase in the education budget.

The survey used 1,000 respondents across the 34 local governments of the state, of which 967 completed the questionnaire and 84 per cent of them were males.

The educational profile of respondents revealed a mix of those with post-graduate qualifications and those that have no formal education.

Over 60 per cent of respondents were within the bracket of 20 – 50 years of age, a very active range for active political participation.

Engaged by private individuals, the Abuja-based Timex Communications conducted the public perception audit on governance in Katsina Sate, probably the first ever conducted for a state government in Nigeria.