In a sane clime, when there is chaos in a country admist natural disasters and pandemic such as the instant case, presidents are enjoined to address their citizens. The idea is bore out of mere obligation and the need to quench panic and tension, reassure the citizens that everything is under control, and above all, to commiserate with the afflicted.
We saw Vladimir Putin of Russia show of bravery and patriotism as he visited isolated patients. We see president Trump address the nation every now and then. Trump had in one of his addresses encouraged Americans that the pandemic would fizzle out before the wake of Easter celebration and that Americans shall definitely celebrate.
It is not yet uhuru in a clime such as the Nigerian polity. Few days ago, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, defended the decision of the President Muhammadu Buhari not to address Nigerians daily amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic, and that it wasn’t Buhari’s “style” to brief Nigerians.
Truth be told, if it’s not your style it’s not your style. After all, no law says he must. Funnily enough, the same Nigerians who want him to address them and even visit the affected persons, want him to test positive to covid-19.
As it stands, rumors are flying around that Mr. President tested positive and is in isolation at Gods knows where. In another news, the president was in his Oval Office at the early hours of this morning.
If not for politics of shame we play in Nigeria, why would a sane person wish another person dead? Only time shall tell who tests positive first before another.
Written By
Oscar Mba