Health matters in politics
gulfnews.com It matters more than you know
I care a lot about the health of my presidential candidate. If one can recall, back in 2007 when Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo was leaving office, he brought in former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his successor. This man was not healthy and everyone in the country knew about it. People were expressing their feelings in the media, but Obasanjo wouldn’t listen as the masses have little say in politics of succession in Africa.
Yar’Adua collapsed several times while campaigning. People were apprehensive. He later won the election and died just after two years in office creating a power vacuum. His vice president Goodluck Jonathan took over and the north felt cheated.
This gave birth to the dreaded Boko Haram in the North. It actually started during this time as result of what some northern elements considered a political coup against them. Now the whole of West Arica is threatened by these militants.
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump’s health should be a major factor as they are both in their late adulthood. Clinton recently caused a stir during her campaign and it reminds me of the Yar’Adua issue in Nigeria. From Mr Aondowase Saint John Makurdi, Nigeria
Some things trump health
I agree that we need to take into account a candidate’s health, but in the case of Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump, other factors are more important than health. I do not believe Trump will turn out to be a better president than Clinton. I hope Americans have decided by now whom to choose. From Mr Madan Mainali UAE
Who to trust?
I feel pity now in the US, because they don’t have the right person to choose to be their leader. Both of the candidates have skeletons in their closet. It must be terrifying. From Mr Oscar Romagos Dubai
Looking into history
N ot only health, but also past character and traits. I think it’s important to look at a candidate’s past medical history and also the kind of person they have been in their life in order to judge them correctly. From Ms Sana Hassan UAE
Can’t be Trump
W ell, in the case of the US, there is no one else. It doesn’t matter if Clinton is sick. We’re likely to witness World War III with Trump in charge. From Mr Stephen Phillips UAE
Hopes on Trump
M r Stephen Phillips, Trump says he will get along with Russia and Clinton says she will use military and attack Russia if Russians are caught up in a cyberattack on the US. She is literally already threatening Russia and she is not even president yet!
And I do think we need to consider health before choosing a president, which is why on November 8 I will vote for Trump so he can make America great again! From Mr Arom Cortez UAE
It depends
H ealth condition is important for a president before a citizen is opting him/her for the chair. If the conditions are common and can be cured without major actions like you would with cancer and any cardiovascular disorders, then I think it’s okay. Major ailments will affect his/her administrative delivery during the tenure of four years. Otherwise, normal ailments aren’t going to disturb his/her delivery. From Mr K. Ragavan Bengaluru, India
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