Nigerian governors have advised President Muhammadu Buhari to relax the lockdown that has been in place in parts of the country in the last month in a
Nigerian governors have advised President Muhammadu Buhari to relax the lockdown that has been in place in parts of the country in the last month in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus, PremiumTimes is reporting.
They advised the president to impose interstate restriction but allow intra state movement. They also recommended continued restriction on large gatherings and compulsory use of face masks in public places.
The call is coming as the nation expects further action from Buhari as a four-week lockdown imposed on Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States by the president draws to a close on Monday.
Ekiti State governor and chairman of the governors’ forum, Kayode Fayemi said the memo followed a teleconference meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on April 22, where governors were asked to suggest what they want reflected in the expected presidential pronouncement, to have a coordinated response across the country.
The governors called for nationwide inter-state lockdown that excludes movement of essential supplies — foods, beverages, medical and pharmaceuticals, petroleum supplies and agricultural products. They also recommended internal free movement but with restrictions on large gatherings and assemblies overnight curfews, lockdown of flights, and compulsory use of face masks/coverings in the public.
The forum had during the virtual meeting with Mr Osinbajo called for the decentralisation of the activities of the COVID-19 response from federal to local governments to curtail further spread. After a month under lockdown, many Nigerians have advised against extending total restriction to minimize suffering.
