FG, Governors in showdown over COVID-19 lockdown

Sequel to the meeting of the state governors to ban interstate movement but relax the current lockdown in the country on account of the coronavirus pandemic, sources states that the federal government is not disposed to such calls in fear of the widespread of the ravaging virus.

Ahead of the President’s address billed for Monday, it has been gathered that the federal authorities are much in favour of partial restrictions in 33 states of the federation (excluding Lagos, Ogun, Kano and Abuja) as opposed to the relaxation of the lockdown as already announced by Oyo and Anambra state respectively.

Members of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID- 19 were locked in a marathon meeting yesterday on the format of the partial restrictions to be put in place in a bid to curtail the spread of the novel virus. The committee, which President Muhammad Buhari relies on principally for advice on the pandemic, is understood of not being on the same page with the governors.

A top level source said: “We are inching towards partial restrictions in some states and the Federal Capital Territory. There is clamour for the partial lifting of the lockdown. This is why the PTF is meeting.

“The PTF has received many suggestions but we are being careful not to reverse the gains of the last few weeks in the battle against Coronavirus.

“One of the knotty issues is a recommendation by the NGF that there should be internal free movement but with restrictions on large gatherings and assemblies nationwide.

According to Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), the federal government is advised not to relax the lockdown as the Nation is in a crucial stage of “community transmission”, which may increase the rate at which the virus spreads in the country. In a bid to curtail the spread, the association advises that the lockdown should be in place in states like Lagos, Ogun, Kano and FCT.

However, when contacted, a member of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said that both the NGF and PTF are on the same page aside one recommendation that was made by the NGF.

He said, “I don’t think they (the PTF on COVID-19) have serious objection except with internal free movement where they believe that we should not relax the lockdown in the epicentres of Lagos, Kano, FCT and Ogun. They may be right.

“We have done our bit by presenting our input. You can contact the Chairman of PTF on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha for details.”

Another source from PTF explains that the team would meet again on Sunday to further their discussion, ahead of the impending address of President Muhammad Buhari to Nigerians on Monday. The relaxation of the restriction order must be spelled out, according to the source, to make sure that governors don’t re-open schools, permit mosque and church operations, allow funeral and marriage outings amidst others.