COVID-19: Gov. Yahaya Bello Lifts Ban On Religious Activities, Mixed Reaction Trails Decision

By Akinwale Kasali

In a twist of event, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has lifted the ban on religious activities in the State, contrary to the lockdown and restriction of movement due to the outbreak of the deadly Pandemic, Coronavirus.

The Kogi State Government had announced it’s decision to lift the ban placed on religious activities in the state with immediate effect to allow various religious bodies to resume their normal worship and services.

This was disclosed in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, in Lokoja on Thursday, that religious bodies should return for worship.

According to the statement, “Following the directive of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State that the ban on religious congregations be lifted with immediate effect to allow religious bodies have their normal worship and services.”

In the statement, Governor Bello also urged religious leaders to put in place the following preventive measures by providing sanitizers for all worshippers at the entrance of churches and mosques.

It further stated that the sitting arrangements in mosques and churches should be done to ensure social distancing.

“We also urge churches and mosques to make their services as brief as possible in order not to keep a large crowd of worshipers within an enclosed confinement for a long period of time.

“The COVID-19 Squadron Committee also urges religious leaders to continue to pray for the end of the pandemic so that the world can return to normal life and activities,” the statement said.

The state government in line with the federal government’s directive had placed a ban on religious congregations in the past two weeks as part of measures to stop the spread of coronavirus in the state.

Mixed Reaction has however trailed this decision, as cross section of political and health observers frown at the Governor’s verdict, saying it will further lead to the spread of the virus.

Columnist and political observer, Owei Lankemfa had criticised Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Governor Bello for allowing Churches and Mosques to on with their activities so far they adhere to safety and preventive measures of the virus.

In his words, “We cannot  pretend to educate Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State, Governor Yahaya Bello and  Gov Rotimi Odunayo ‘Aketi’ Akeredolu of Ondo State that Covid-19 is real, is a pandemic and there is the need for physical distancing to slow or stop the virus.

“But we should beg them not to allow or encourage mass gatherings for Jumat  and Easter services as they are threatening to do.

“If Saudi Arabia and the Vatican can enforce lockdown, how can Masari be wiser than our collective wisdom  and  Akeredolu be  more  Catholic than the Pope?

“We know they are quite powerful persons, so we need to beg them because the lives of Nigerians matter”, he stated.

Other notable voices and political analyts have also criticised the decisions of these Governors.