by Alexander O. Onukwue

The term “manage” here is not used here to mean take advantage, as it has been alleged by some Aso Rock insiders.

What can those around the President do right in the present situation to help Nigerians better appreciate their refusal to divulge much on the health status of the President?

1. Divulge some

Pretty simple. Everyone knows personal health records are private and cannot be extracted without consent. What can they do? Personal assistants and advisers are paid from the public purse to proffer timely and nationally relevant counsel to elected leaders. It is understandable that their loyalty should lie with the man who appoints them but those who ultimately pay their bills should not be treated as though they do not matter. On the note of providing counsel, what harm would it do if the aides ask the President for permission to provide some information about what it is that has kept him away.

Upon his return from London last March, he, Buhari, did say that he had never been so hit by illness. Can we just have an idea so we know what we are dealing with? Bones? Muscles? Organs?

2. Stop being evasive

It does not do much good, in the current state of things, to deflect issues from what the people are asking about. Answer the questions as forthrightly as possible, without appearing to dismiss them as inconsequential.

3. The truth will set us all free

Not just on the state of the health of the President now, but on all other National matters. The Minister of Information and Culture, especially, should be wary of going on live TV to brazenly misinform Nigerians. If he and other members of the Executive really want to be heard and given the benefit of doubt when they make comments about the President, they should tell the truth in all other matters, at least to buy some goodwill.

The whole truth. Nothing less will suffice.