Attendance in mosques, churches restricted to 50 individuals.
Muslims are additionally not anticipated to go to any praying ground.
Our place on the five-point agenda we gave to the President has not changed – NGF Chairman.
There have been indications on Friday that President Muhammadu Buhari and state governors reached a five-point agreement. On containing the coronavirus disease whereas easing the lockdown nationwide.
It was learnt that the deal addressed the apprehension of some governors on the observance of Sallah prayers and reopening of worship centres.
A major thrust of the agreement is that gatherings in mosques or church buildings. The observance of Eid-el-Fitr prayers is not going to exceed 50 people at a time.
Muslims are additionally not anticipated to go to any praying ground. However, they’ll use a neighbourhood mosque with only 50 worshippers.
It was gathered that the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi. Additionally, had talks with the President of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Sultan Sa’advert Abubakar, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Supo Ayokunle, on the understanding reached with the President.
The NGF chairman was additionally stated to have had discussions with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha.
The governors held a National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on thursday. Their position on public gathering had not changed, including that no governor would go against the agenda.
Based on findings, the governors proposed a five-point agenda regarding the management of the eased lockdown, which the President endorsed.
The agreement is applicable to all Nigerians, together with Muslims and Christians.
Findings revealed that at the NEC session on Thursday, the governors suggested to stick to the agreement reached with the President,
A North-West governor stated: “We have no idea where all of the noise is coming from as if governors are heady and out to frustrate the management of COVID-19.
“In easing the lockdown, we offered a five-point agenda to the President, specifically restriction on inter-state movements; internal relaxation of stay-at-home order within a time frame; compulsory wearing of masks; and public gathering, be it social, political or religious, not exceeding 50.
“The fifth clause within the agreement is that we must enhance testing so that we might be more accurate.”
One other governor stated: “The NGF chairman has had strong discussions with the President of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Supo Ayokunle, on the pact with the President.
“We therefore got the buy in of NSCIA and CAN on how we want to go in regards to the easing of the lockdown.
“We had been briefed at our meeting on how the NGF leadership consulted the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and different stakeholders on our agenda to ease the lockdown, particularly because it concerns worship centres.
“We have got to a stage where we have to lay the cards on the table to indicate that governors have been mutually consultative.
“What’s causing the apprehension nationwide is the concern that governors might not be capable to handle the state of affairs if they unlock worship centres or during Eid-el Fitr celebration.
“To this point, we’ve spoken to ourselves and reached a consensus that we’ll abide by the agreement.
“We even consented to a clause that no person should come to the Eid praying ground, central mosque. As an alternative, Muslims are expected to make use of neighbourhood mosques if they can’t stay at home.”
On the alleged recalcitrant posture of some governors, the supply added: “I think some of them are being pushed by either some Ulamas or some politicians for electoral purpose.
“We’re nevertheless hopeful that nobody will violate the five-point agenda.”
When contacted, the Chairman of NGF, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said: “Our place on the five-point agenda we gave to the President has not changed.
“I think no governor will go against the agenda.”
