Covid-19: Islamic Cleric, Sheik Gumi, Says Easing Lockdown Is Suicidal; Advises Buhari To Rescind Decision

By Akinwale Kasali

Popular Political and Religious Activist, Critic and Islamic Cleric, Sheik Ahmed Gumi,  has described the easing of the Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration as suicidal and Insensitive.

Gumi stressed that it is irresponsible for the Federal Government to ease the lockdown at a time the nation is grappling with the astronomical rise in cases of COVID-19.

He warned President Buhari of the consequences of its decision to ease the lockdown imposed on some parts of the country.

It would be recalled that President Buhari had, on April 27, announced the partial relaxation of the lockdown in FCT, Lagos and Ogun beginning from  Monday, May 4th.

Gumi, however, said that the Federal government should not have bowed to pressure from Nigerians but be firm in its approach to tackle the ravaging viral disease.

He also noted that the decision to ease the lockdown was because government is running away from its responsibility, adding that people are locked down in hunger and that the government is not ready to spend on the palliatives.

He said: ”The government is just running away from their responsibility. This is just the truth. People are locked down in hunger and the government is not ready to spend on the palliatives. So they are saying the best thing is ‘let’s release you people’. But this is suicide, it is suicidal, it is suicidal and I’m very sorry to say it is irresponsible.

“Yes, it is, because of pressure and hunger, that is it. If not, it is not right to do that. Even in China where they have controlled opening, like the schools they made every child to come with mask, there was serious testing and taking of people’s temperature before coming into the school.

“Can we afford to do that here? We cannot. And what we are afraid of is if there is community transmission, meaning that it is not only the man to man contact, but it comes into the community and it becomes endemic; then it is going to be seriously fatal and we pray it does not happen.” he said.