The Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, Christian Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs have expressed support for the possible extension of the lockdown if it is inevitable to stop the further spread of the deadly virus in some states in Nigeria.
The spokespersons for the PDP and the ADC, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan and Mrs Yemi Kolapo, respectively, in separate interviews with one of our correspondents in Abuja on Saturday, said their parties were not opposed to an extension of the lockdown if it was unavoidable.
Ologbondiyan, however, called on the Federal Government to, in a transparent manner, provide “tangible and substantial” palliatives to the vulnerable groups to cushion the harsh effect of the lockdown.
He stated that many Nigerians relied on daily earnings to survive, adding that extending the lockdown without providing substantial palliatives could be resisted by the poor, who might not want to die of hunger.
He said,
“The PDP has never been opposed to a lockdown. Our candid position is that the government should provide palliatives because the majority of Nigerians are in the informal sector. They are the tomato sellers, the Uber drivers, motorcycle and tricycle riders, vulcanisers and the mechanics. They run our economy. And as such, we ask the Federal Government to provide a means of sustaining this group of Nigerians who run our economy for the period during which they have been forced to stay at home and have been denied their means of survival.
“But what did you get? You find a situation where a loaf of bread is being given to a household of 10 people and a cup of rice is being given to breadwinners to go and feed their families. Nigerians are becoming scared, they are worried and they are afraid that it appears that they are being driven away or shielded from coronavirus only to be killed by ‘hunger-virus.’ That is the issue. Our position is that the Federal Government must have a holistic approach to fighting coronavirus. If you ask the people to stay at home, then you must provide palliatives. They must provide incentives that will keep them at home.
“We are not opposed to an extension of the lockdown if, in the wisdom of the Federal Government, it will help in reducing the coronavirus.”
Also, Kolapo urged the people to fully comply with the Federal Government if it decided to extend the lockdown, adding that it was better to have a firm strategy that would curtail the spread of the virus than a soft approach that might escalate it.
She called for collaborative and concerted efforts of all Nigerians to fight against COVID-19, adding that this was not the time to play politics.
She said,
“Every small business is losing but that will be small to what will happen to the economy if the disease spreads further. It will be pathetic!”
Also, Christians in the country have been urged not to congregate during the Easter celebration to curb the spread of the disease.
The President of CAN, Rev Supo Ayokunle, gave the advice during a live interview with the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State which was monitored by one of our correspondents on Saturday.
Ayokunle said,
“I tag the Easter celebration of this year an unusual leap Easter. What is happening is beyond our control because COVID-19 is a rude virus; it is not a respecter of anybody, whether young or old, wise or foolish, black or white. It doesn’t even respect how advanced your nation is. Both the developed and developing nations are cringing under the pandemic.
“The Holy Bible says there is time for everything; there is a time to embrace and a time to cease from embracing in order to come back to embrace. That is what we are doing now because if we are not wise, we might all be consumed. Though God has not promised to destroy our world with the disease, it (COVID-19) can wreak havoc on families beyond human imagination.
“Before COVID-19 would kill many of our loved ones, we need to join hands together to kill it by abstaining from fellowship at this time. It is my hope that if we are obedient to bear the pain – it is a very short pain – we would be able to enjoy our togetherness for many years to come.”
Meanwhile, the NSCIA, under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar lll, on Saturday warned against the reopening of churches and mosques in contravention of the directive of the Federal Government.
The NSCIA also faulted moves by some governors who, it said, were trying to order the reopening of religious centres in some parts of the country amid the coronavirus lockdown.
The Director of Administration in NSCIA, Yusuf Chinedozi Nwoha, said these in Abuja during the distribution of palliatives to 90 households in Mpape area of the FCT.
The palliatives comprised food items such as rice, beans, garri, groundnut oil, sugar, salt and handwashing soap.
