Aso Rock Villa in partial lockdown
The State House, Abuja, is in a partial lockdown because of the measure to stop the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, told State House reporters yesterday that events at the Presidential Villawere just on a low key.
Speaking on the present situation of things in the Villa, he said: “Well, things are a bit on a low key, it doesn’t mean that the State House is shut down, it’s just that things are a bit on the low key just like the rest of the country. The rest of the country is also on a low key, there is partial lockdown in most parts of the country. So, what is happening at the State House can also be called a partial lockdown, but not a complete lockdown.”
He said the yesterday’s Federal Executive Council meeting was suspended to avoid a gathering that would exceed the recommended number at this time.
He said: “The council was suspended because of the size. You have over 50 people seated in the Council Chambers whenever the meeting holds and that is not advisable at a time like this.
“But if there would be a very important decision to be taken, you can always summon the relevant people, three, four or five and hold a small meeting and arrive at a decision.
“It does not mean that one man is going to be taking all the decisions. Of course, yes, there are executive decisions, but the
The Peoples Democratic Party yesterday condemned what it termed the unjustified banning of Africa Independent Television and other media houses from covering activities of the Presidency, describing the development as a most heinous form of official victimization executed in bad faith.
The Presidency had on Tuesday pruned to 16 the number of correspondents to cover activities at the State House as a measure against the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
The PDP, in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, described the alleged media ban by the Presidency as highly detestable, undemocratic and totally against the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Freedom of Information Act as well as the tenets and guiding principles of rule of law.
The party noted
that the ones that must pass through consultations of which must have a buy in of the Federal Executive Council can always be discussed at a smaller meeting.”
Adesina said the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari tested negative for coronavirus called for rejoicing.
He said: “Good. So that calls for rejoicing with him. Anybody that does the test and test negative we will rejoice with that person. And anybody that does it and tests positive, it’s not a death sentence. We also would pray along with the person, give the person our goodwill and best wishes and they will surely come out of it. Even the index case in Nigeria recovered and has been discharged. So, God that has shown us mercy thus far will continue to show that mercy. Anybody that tests positive, it is not a death sentence, they will be attended to, they will be tested and they will be fine.”
He advised Nigerians against panic, saying “Panic will not be the right thing to do because when you panic, you are bound to make mistakes. When you panic, you get agitated and the situation does not call for that, rather it calls for cooperation with government.
“When they give instructions, let’s abide by those instructions. And a number of things have been put in place to ensure that the wellbeing of Nigerians is taken care of.”
He expressed optimism that a lot of measures had been adopted to protect those operating in the presidency against COVID-19.
Presidency had no justification for its action and could therefore not give any cogent reason to necessitate the ban.
It alleged that the “unnecessary pettiness, victimization and barring of media houses has sparked off suspicion in the public space as being designed to conceal certain facts from the public.
“It is indeed instructive for the Buhari Presidency to note that our nation is in dire need of hope and direction contained in timely information, especially from the government.
“Consequently, clamping down on the media, which is a critical stakeholder in this important effort to defeat COVID-19 is completely at variance with our national interest.”
Meanwhile, presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, while reacting yesterday to the reported ban of journalists from the State House, said the word “ban” was wrong as a gathering of about 108 journalists in the press gallery was against the spirit of the time.