The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) has urged President Buhari to review down the total lockdown imposed on Lagos, Ogun and the FCT Abuja.
The appeal was contained in a letter dated April 24, 2020, and signed by the forum chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state.
The letter was dispatched to the chairman Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
The Governors solicited that Buhari should relax the movement in all the states but with restriction to large gatherings and maintaining social distancing.
Other terms the Governors opined Buhari should consider are: “Inter-state lockdown, excluding movement of essential supplies- food, beverages, medical and pharmaceutical, petroleum supplies and agricultural products; internal free movement but with restrictions on large gatherings and assemblies; overnight curfews; lockdown of flights; and compulsory use of face masks/coverings in the public.”
According to the forum Chairman, the Governors position was a follow up to their teleconference meeting with the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.
During the meeting, it was agreed that the NGF should articulate what they deem fit that they want to be included in the next presidential pronouncement on the coronavirus so as to have a uniform and coordinated policy on the COVID-19 at all level of governance in the country.
As at present, Nigeria has total confirmed cases of 1095 of the coronavirus in the country with 208 people discharged and 32 deaths.
President Buhari is expected to make another pronouncement on Monday 27th April, 2020 as the second leg of the 14 days would elapse.