Abstract
This study examines the expectations of the electorates from political office holders, using Oyo state as a case study. It also finds out how feasible the expectations are, and if political office holders are able to meet such expectations. The study equally examines the factors that aid and prevent such expectations from being met and discusses the impact of the expectations on good governance in the study area. Primary data was sourced with a self structured questionnaire administered on 150 respondents drawn from electorates, public officials/elected officials and civil society organizations across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State, analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) and interpreted in percentages and frequency distribution. The secondary data was sourced from books, journals, newspapers publications and internet materials, and content analyzed. The study revealed that people have varied expectations but same on medical facilities, poverty alleviation, security of lives and property, education and economic development. The study also revealed that political office holders are aware of the expectations of the people through the mass media, social media and direct contact but do not meet them. The study found that adequate fund and manpower are key factors that help political office holders to meet up with the expectations and that lack of funds; inadequate manpower, corruption, and influence of political godfathers are hindrances to meeting up with the expectations of the electorates. It also found that public expectations have impact on good governance and that the impact is a positive one.
Highlights
Good governance is felt on the extent to which the expectations of the electorates are met by elected/appointed political office holders
The data in item L above indicated that 53.3% of the respondents strongly agreed that lack of support from citizens prevents political office holders from meeting their expectations, 24.0% agreed, 6.0% were undecided, while 16.7% of the respondents strongly disagreed and 2.7% disagreed with the assertion
In item N of the above table, 58.7% of the respondents strongly agreed that lack of channel for communicating public expectations to political office holders prevents them from meeting their expectations, 36.0% agreed, 5.3% were undecided, while 5.3% strongly disagreed
Summary
Good governance is felt on the extent to which the expectations of the electorates are met by elected/appointed political office holders. The electorates expect public officials to meet up with certain expectations which are considered essential to their well being. The expectations range from the provision of food, clothing, shelter, employment, social infrastructure, economic development, medical facilities, agriculture, education, industrial development to security of lives and properties. According to Anyadike and Emeh (2014), most public office holders loot public treasury and could not be said to be serving the public. The list of looters released by the federal government in March 2018 contained names of prominent public office holders (elected and appointed) who had once served the country (Sahara Reporters, 2018)
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