Talk to us Mr President, we need you
The degree to which things have gone awry in the nation was indicated by the that fact when our President finally appeared in public it was hailed as some sort of major achievement. It’s clear that he isn’t in the best of health, but then who is? Although he has missed four consecutive Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings, it’s also clear that the majority of those calling for his immediate resignation simply wish to further their own personal interests and really don’t mean well for the nation. However, this doesn’t negate the genuine public concern over the severity or otherwise of his incapacitation. The ability to walk some 600 meters is certainly proof that he is alive, but it isn’t conclusive evidence that he is in a position to cope with the burdens of office.
Taking into account the prevailing uncertainty caused by his detractors, and Nigeria’s particular brand of rumour mill which has been enhanced by the social media, our President owes it to the nation to address us all. Everyone is aware of the adverse effects unsubstantiated rumours have had in the past in the country, and its’ also common knowledge that on previous occasions, incapacitated leaders at both state and national levels were kept from close contact with the public until the “cabals” who highjacked their administrations were exposed. In today’s particular circumstances, it’s more imperative than ever to hear our President speak. He represents far more than a mere individual or figurehead to those who voted for him, he represents a dream. A dream that our nation could finally move forward as a disciplined, incorruptible people. The nation needs him now more than ever, which is why all the Ministers, Special advisers, and top government officials speaking on his behalf mean nothing to citizens. They weren’t elected, he was.
Previously our President has never been reticent about making his views felt, whether popular or otherwise. In one interview, he said that those who didn’t vote for him shouldn’t expect him to serve them as much as those who did, and on a second more memorable occasion he told the world that he married his wife for home duties, not political advice. So, he should have no problems telling us exactly what is going on. It should come as no surprise that the general public have lost faith in anything senior government spokespersons say. Their levity over the matter of our President’s health issues has turned them into a source of ridicule.
A trending “joke” on the internet is that according to his inner circle our President suffers from a condition known as “hale and hearty” which requires “rest on his doctor’s orders”! The secrecy surrounding these health issues is totally unnecessary and it’s become increasingly difficult to convince citizens that everything is under control and something untoward is not amiss. Disability isn’t a matter for shame or embarrassment, it’s simply a medical condition.
All over the world it’s generally accepted that there should be equal opportunities for the physically challenged. At the end of the day what is important is the state of a person’s mind, not their body. There are many precedents of physically challenged person holding high office. The UK once had a Home Secretary (Minister of Interior) who was totally blind, and US wartime President Roosevelt was confined to a wheelchair. It is undisputable that it is imperative for our President to addresses the nation.
In Nigerian culture when a man sends his servant to speak to you instead of addressing you personally, it has implications. A live TV broadcast is the least expected. Opposition party members are having a field day asking the pertinent question that if he can’t speak to the nation, how does he speak those who supposedly meet with him? Worse still all the while our President has been silent no serious change impetus has come from either his appointees, or any ministry or agency other than those directly under the Presidency. The labour unions are becoming restive, the anti-corruption war has suffered several major setbacks in the Courts, campaign posters for his candidacy in 2019 are mischievously surfacing in parts of the nation, the budget is yet to be implemented, there is open talk of breaking up the nation, and politicians within his party are plotting all sorts of intrigue. In short, things appear to be falling apart.
It’s time our President took a firm stand to let the nation know he’s still in control and all the seeming setbacks will be resolved in the nearest future. He should act promptly to reassure Nigerians and allay fears that unelected people are ruling us by proxy. However, if there is a medical reason why he cannot address us, then he has a responsibility to both himself and the nation to do the right thing and take all necessary time off to recuperate fully. Nigeria is greater and bigger than any individual, and the wish of the people to hear their President and finally put paid to all rumours, should be respected.