PUBLIC RELATIONS AND RESTORATION OF PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN NIGERIAN’S GOVERNANCE

Abstract

Public confidence in governance plays an important role in the stability and effectiveness of any nation’s political system. This paper therefore sought to examine the role of Public Relations in restoring and enhancing public confidence in Nigerian governance with a focus on the challenges faced by the Nigerian government in maintaining transparency, accountability and credibility. This research is pronged on three objectives: to examine the factors contributing to the decline of public confidence in Nigerian governance; to explore the role of public relations in restoring public confidence in Nigerian governance by analyzing the importance of effective communication, stakeholder engagement, crisis management and ethical considerations; to provide recommendations for Nigerian policymakers and Public Relations practitioners to foster a trustworthy relationship with the public. This study is hinged on the Stakeholders theory and the situational crisis theory with residents of Port Harcourt LGA as its research population and adopts the qualitative research design. The method of data collection is interviews and focus group discussions. This paper recommends that the government needs to be transparent and accountable and engage with stakeholders while communicating effective steps in addressing issues that border around the public and that Public Relations campaigns can focus on showcasing government’s achievement. Panoramic Public Relations strategies should be implored in the restoration of public confidence in Nigerian’s government.