NON-DISCLOSURE OF HEALTH STATUS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF PRESIDENT BUHARI’S HEALTH ISSUES

Abstract

The attitude of non-disclosure of public officials’ health status before or while holding public offices in Nigeria is particularly worrisome. More trending is the health of President Muhammadu Buhari, which has remained constantly in the front pages of most national newspapers and magazines in Nigeria, as well as electronic media outlets.  And, it has generated an unprecedented online discussion about the health of public officials. Using the survey research method and anchored on conspiracy theory and diffusion of innovation theory, this study assesses the impact of the non-disclosure of President Buhari’s health status on the attitudes of Nigerians. Simple statistical technique was used to analyse the data from the study. The study revealed that government reports about President Buhari’s healthcare are by far too scanty, vague, unfounded and marred with falsehood that border on propagandas. The non-disclosure of the particular illness and health status of the president have been identified as the major vehicles driving the rumours of his purported death, accusation and counter-accusations trailing his health. This, however, has the potential to undermine the nation’s democracy and impacts negatively on national development. The study recommends a legal intervention to compel public officials to disclose their health status periodically, through available media channels, to their electorates before and during their tenure in office. This will not only help to avert the reoccurrence of this deplorable situation, but would also facilitate representative democracy, where elected officials are physically and mentally able to serve their constituents in all arms of government.