THE POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK IN NIGERIA

The first time I conceived the idea to write on this topic, I had a beautiful introduction in my head, unfortunately I didn't pen it down, so I don't recollect the exact words that would have started this piece. However, it's not only safe but certainly not out of place to assume that we all know something or have heard something about the invincible virus which has bedeviled our itinerary and has placed so many activities on indefinite hold for few weeks now. I sincerely hope the control of the aftermath of the pandemic would be much easier than prevention of its spread and its treatment without a known and accepted vaccine up till now.

Over the years, government at all levels have failed to provide state of the art medical facilities which would have been a run to arsenal in the war against corona virus and which would have helped in no small measure in the containment of the virus. I have observed people's reactions since the outbreak. I have noted that many believe that the government have been proactive since the outbreak of the virus because it looks like the virus targets the rich and the elites, this is clearly a misconception and it is delusional. What may have informed this faulty conception is the fact that some set of high profile Nigerians were the first to test positive for the virus. This only brings to fore that very few people have been able to get tested and where things like this happen in Nigeria, only the "first class" citizens get the privilege. 

Some others believe that political leaders have been in gear in the fight against the pandemic because they clearly have nowhere to run to as developed countries of the world have not been spared by the outbreak and many of them have shut their airspace at local and international flights. This would in other words mean that if political leaders and top citizens could easily fly out with their families, the combat against the virus might not be as intense as we have it today. 

The rightness and otherwise of these thoughts would be hinged on our individual perceptions. There are however certain notable political implications which have come into play. This outbreak has clearly brought to the open that Nigeria has a dilapidated, neglected and dog-eared medical system. It doesn't look like there has to be so much dwelling on this fact as it is blatant enough for us to see. One can only hope that this outbreak would bring about the desired turn around and so much investments would be channeled to revive the system.

The activities of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the relentless efforts of government at different levels and the level of collaborative efforts between the NCDC, the government and corporate bodies brings to the open the level of development we could enjoy in Nigeria if political leaders and political appointees at different level truly want to make things work. The swift nature of the virus' spread brought about rapid response from the government because it is clearly not here to play and drawing inferences from the effect of the virus in other countries, many lives would be lost if drastic steps are not taken to combat it. This has clearly reduced the passiveness of government to issues that affect the populace and has made Nigerians experience the virile side of their government which could actually produce effective and desired results for national development.

For instance, if the government had paid much attention to Lassa fever, we would not have the number of deaths that we have as a result of it. According to The World Economic Forum, cases of Lassa fever have seen a sharp rise from 64 in 2015 to 774 so far this year. Fatality rates in 2019 reached 23%, compared to 2% for the coronavirus. According to the Guardian Newspaper on a news article published on the 12 March, 2020 the death toll from the latest round of Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has risen to 144.

Maybe there would then be some sense in assuming that Corona virus wouldn't have been taken very seriously if its effects had not been seen in other parts of the world. This was clearly demonstrated by the laxity of the federal government in shutting the airspace and the land borders of the country. It is understood that by international law, every person has a state and a state cannot shut its gate at its citizens. However, an 'on arrival quarantine' would have greatly reduced the spread of the virus 

It has also been observed that Nigerians have little trust for the government and the political leaders. Anyone who is conversant with the Nigerian political terrain wouldn't be quick to discard this fact. This might not be unconnected with why some Nigerians find it really difficult to abide by the government stay at home directive even though palliatives have been promised. One would also observe that the outbreak of the pandemic has also made it very obvious that Nigerians are a set of people who are very difficult to govern. Even in the face of the intensity of the virus, several people find it hard to stay at home. While some people find it hard to stay at home because they depend on their daily income to survive, some have been seen keeping fit in crowded places and some cannot stay away from religious places. In the face of it, some people even held parties in flagrant flout of government orders.

It doesnt seem to me that this piece needs a conclusion for now because the virus is still very much of a global emergency. I have been able to point out the permissiveness of the Nigerian government to many issues affecting the populace and surprisingly, the Federal government and the government of some states have been proactive in the fight against corona virus. We can hope that lessons would be learnt from the outbreak and the government would see the need to strengthen the health system in the country.