Governors Give Buhari Conditions To Relax COVID-19 Lockdown

Governors have given President Muhammadu Buhari conditions to relax COVID-19 Lockdown.

NewsOne Nigeria reports that the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) urged President Buhari to lift the total lockdown imposed in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

This burgeoning online news platform understands that this was contained in a letter dated April 24, 2020, and signed by Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, who is the Chairman of the Governors’ forum.

The Governors, who addressed the letter to Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, asked President Buhari to allow free movement in all the states, but with restrictions on large gatherings.

NewsOne Nigeria reports that the other things, the Governors want to be incorporated into President Buhari’s impending pronouncement on the lockdown are: “Inter-state lockdown, excluding movement of essential supplies- food, beverages, medical and pharmaceutical, petroleum supplies and agricultural products; 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 Chairman of the NGF said Nigeria Governors Forum’s position was a follow up to a teleconference meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on April 22, 2020.

“Recall at the meeting it was agreed that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) articulates the issues that it would want to be included in the next Presidential Pronouncement on COVID-19 so as to have a Uniform and coordinated Policy on COVID-19 at both the national and sub-national levels,” he added.

Meanwhile, President Buhari is expected to make a new announcement when the second 14-day lockdown ends on Monday, April 27.