It has been proposed by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) that all candidates for governor and president in the 2023 general election undergo a mandatory psychiatric evaluation to ensure they are mentally healthy and sound.
The NMA argued that Nigerians would benefit from having a thorough understanding of who they are voting to represent them by conducting psychiatric evaluations of candidates for political office.
Although some Nigerians have contended that medical screening of candidates to ascertain their state of health is not constitutional, others have argued that it is necessary for the sake of the country even if it is not explicitly stated in the constitution.

Brigadier General Buba Marwa (ret. ), Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), sparked controversy in April by requesting that political parties incorporate drug integrity tests into their candidate screening procedures.
On Tuesday, in an interview with PUNCH in Abuja, NMA President Dr. Uche Ojinmah echoed the NDLEA director by outlining a series of tests that candidates should do to determine their health and fitness for government.
Ojinmah stated, "Simple medical check-ups including chest X-rays, heart echocardiogram, abdominal ultrasound scans, urinalysis, kidney function test, liver function test, blood pressure and blood glucose assessment will provide one a thorough view of the state of the body system."
These exams are unfortunately required for individuals applying for Chief Medical Director or Medical Director positions in our public sector, but are not required for those running for executive or legislative positions.
Further, we'd like them to be evaluated by a psychiatrist. As a result of these, all applicants for Nigeria's top post would be thoroughly rated.
The problem is that if you allow a government agency like the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria or others, the government in power can influence it, so the NMA could be given the responsibility of choosing an independent panel of people who are well-known in those different fields to carry out the tests, he said.
According to him, "we will prefer for a professional body to be given the job of establishing a panel of famous specialists in the necessary areas to carry out a clear study and provide the report to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He went on to demand that the results of the medical and psychiatric evaluations be made public, adding, "If a madman is about to be president, we should be notified, that is just the reality." When you look at what we see happening at the top, you'll realize that something is off. People have a right to know the results, which is why I believe they should be made public when hospitals are considering candidates for the position of Medical Director or Chief Medical Director. You're telling me that individuals are going to run for President and they don't want the results to be publicized? Since we're the ones making the call, we should get to witness how it plays out.
The President of the NMA was asked if unfit candidates for elective positions should be prevented from running. He responded, "Our position is that if you have a mental problem or a neurological problem or if you have any organ damaged that may not be treatable, or if you are psychiatrically imbalanced, you should not be allowed to lead, you should be stopped." Are you willing to make a lunatic your traditional ruler? You won't.

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