POLITICS.

I had the privilege of airing my view about the recent audio clip attributed to President Mohammadu Buhari on Channels TV's 'BEAM' where I stated, in part, "not everything should be politicized" and here is why- We as a country have evolved from the era/dispensation of ignorance and controlled media, we are now in an era that the average trader on the streets knows what is happening in Government either through the media (Radio, Television  & print media), or through "hear-say" and whatever version of the story the masses get (abridged, modified, misconstrued, biased, and even twisted), it will be difficult for Government to change what has been aired out even if the true version comes later to clear the air. The perception of the masses has always been that Government at all levels don't play by the books and it is also generally assumed that whatever the version of a story brought forth by the Government needs scrutiny because it seldom spells out the details and the recent trend of differing information coming from top ranking officials about national issues is only compounding the lack of credibility accorded the Government. In a way, assumptions and speculations is gradually taking over the minds of all, including those in Government who don't belong to the "Inner caucus" or "Cabal" as widely 'speculated'. 

With all that, Governments around the world (both in developed and developing nations) often keep information away from the people including those in Government who do not have clearance or qualify to be privy to such information for the sake of national security and unity, the most common of such was that of FDR whose sickness was kept mum so that the soldiers fighting the war then should not get discouraged, so that the economy will not fall and ultimately so that the enemy will not take advantage of the situation. It is in fact the press that helped in ensuring that remained a "secret" till the time they felt the American people needed to know. So it is no news to handle cases of 'National Security' with uttermost discretion and away from the masses but it also has to be handled carefully and with great precision/timing because if such a plan fails, the trust and hopes of all in Government will be in constant doubt or even lost completely.

Bearing in mind that desperate times calls for desperate measures, as we are seeing in the nation today (as in the case on which I discussed), I will like to reiterate my stand that it will be far better to allow speculations and rumors fly than bring a message like that at a time like this. We as a nation are experiencing a deja vu as far as this case is concerned (the first being that of the late President Yar'Adua, who in my opinion is the best President Nigeria ever had).

In my candid opinion, the life and health status of our President should not be politicized, whatever be the rationale behind it because the more we put that in the political hot spot, the more we tend to loose focus and the confidence/hopes of the masses towards the Administration and Government of the day.

As we continue to pray and hope for the President's quick recovery and safe return back home, it will be better to allow speculations and rumors fly than create another problem because we are desperate to debunk such.

PS: Here is a link to my interview- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6S0HbURxdfo

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