Relaxation Of Lockdown: CAN Urges FG, States Not To Compromise National Interest

PRESIDENT, Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN), Rev Dr. Samson Ayokunle has warned that in the ongoing relaxation of the lockdown by the Federal and state governments, the overall interest of the nation should not be compromised.

The clergy observed that, though the easing of lockdown was highly clamoured for in some quarters due to its debilitating effects, the increasing rate of infected persons in Nigeria daily is dangerous for the survival of all.

In a chat with The Guardian yesterday in Abuja, Ayokunle faulted the approach adopted by the Federal Government from the beginning in which it singled out only three states for the lockdown, without considering the possibility of the pandemic to spread.

“The case of COVID- 19 is different from one state to another. If the directive had been total when the pandemic broke, or the Federal Government had declared a state of emergency, all these contradictions would have been avoided. The whole country has been put in a state of confusion. States are now mounting borders as if we are no more one nation.” The CAN President said the religious leaders are not carried along on the policy planning and implementation, adding, “We are just reading the guidelines or Riot Act in the media, too bad. Nigeria is a religious country and any policy that fails to recognise this will surely fail. Religious leaders are closer to the people than the government; we understand our people better and we know how to talk to them. But how many religious leaders are involved in the ongoing campaign against the pandemic,” he quizzed.

Ayokunle, however, advised governments at all levels to review their strategies with a view to involving religious leaders on how to go about it. He informed that the position of CAN has been that, if the government thinks reopening of the market, banks, restaurants, seaports, shopping malls etc, cannot promote the spread of coronavirus, then the closure of the worship places should be reversed.

According to him, it’s illogical to argue that the gathering in the market places where social distancing and facemasks are ignored will be safer than the worship places.