RISK COMMUNICATION AND POLITICS OF COVID-19 IN POST-TRUTH ERA IN NIGERIA

Abstract

It is observable that across the globe, the notion of an objective truth assented to by all is dying down. As a result, a lot of issues in the world are becoming polarized cum politicized. Issues are no longer in black and white. They have become relative, and thus, indicative of a post-truth era. Ripple effects of this are seen in both minor and major issues today. At the heels of Covid-19, and upon seeing its ravaging effects in countries, World Health Organization declared it a pandemic by 11^th March 2020. But because of relativism of truth, risk communications of this looming danger to mankind, in country after country, became muddled in politics, lies, disbeliefs, misinformation, and corruption. Observation of non-pharmaceutical protocols to limit the spread – in the absence of appropriate medicines and vaccines became polarized. In Nigeria, it was the #EndSARS protests that exposed some of the repugnant political practices like hoarding of palliatives discovered at different locations across the country; and thus, putting clouds of doubt on Covid-19 risk communications in an era marred by politics and relativism. Using conceptual analysis anchored to gate keeping theory, this article evaluates how politics has affected risk communication in post-truth era in Nigeria with a view to proffer lasting solutions that would lead to effective risk communication and reestablishment of objectivity of truth.