The 36 state governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have said they will work with the Federal Government to ensure the nation survives the coronavirus (COVID-19) threat. This formed part of the resolutions made at the NGF’s meeting held late on Sunday.
Part of the communiqué, which was signed by NGF’s Chairman, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, reads: “Members strongly emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and State Ministries of Health to strengthen preventive measures and the health response to the pandemic.
“Governors are committed to ensuring that there is seamless movement of essential commodities throughout the country during this period of the lockdown.
“Through the NGF Secretariat, a protocol for the movement of essential services will be developed and shared with all state governments.
“The NGF Secretariat has worked with the National Economic Council Ad-Hoc Committee on COVID-19 to examine the impact of the pandemic on both the federal and State governments and has recommended a set of actions to manage the crisis.
Also on Monday, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami berated critics of President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive restricting movement in some states as part of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Some lawyers, including Ebun Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) had criticised the President, claiming that he acted illegally by announcing a lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states.
Malami’s spokesman, Umar Gwandu, in a statement, quoted the AGF as arguing that Adegboruwa and others were wrong and misconstrued the law in that regards.
By Eric Ikhilae,
The Nations