The Federal Government has accused Governors of breaching the protocols put in place to guide the country against the spread of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Recall that the Governors of Cross River, Kano, Gombe, Borno, Ebonyi, Zamfara, and Bauchi have recently ordered the re-opening of religious centres in their States.

But, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) have advised Muslims to observe the Edi-el-Fitr prayers at home in accordance with the PTF-issued guidelines.

However, The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello, has vowed not to bow to the pressure of lifting the ban on worship centres in the country’s capital city.

Chairman of the COVID-19 Presidential Task Force (PTF), Boss Mustafa has warned against large religious gatherings.

He reiterated that the ban on gatherings of more than 20 people remained intact.

Mustapha, who doubles as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), spoke at the daily briefing by the PTF in Abuja, said “the need for states to diligently implement and enforce compliance. Particularly, I underscore the need for the governors to provide personal and strong leadership, carry the policy of community ownership to the grass-roots and create deeper awareness.

“Governors are also advised on the decision taken by some of their colleagues to permit large gatherings as such decisions could inadvertently endanger the elderly, the sick and those with underlying factors during such gatherings. The strong advisory from the PTF is that large gatherings beyond 20 persons remain prohibited and should be adhered to”.

The SGF also announced that the PTF would work with the National Assembly as the House of Representatives inaugurates an Ad-Hoc Committee on COVID-19.

“The PTF on COVID-19 is pleased to inform you that in order to underscore the seriousness attached to this COVID-19 pandemic, the House of Representatives have set up an Ad-Hoc COVID-19 Committee.

“In deepening the existing collaborative spirit, we shall work together with the legislature to be more productive and add value to the overall delivery of service to Nigerians on behalf of whom we hold our responsibility in trust”.

Apart from Cross River State which has no virus case yet. The active cases in some of the states re-opening the worship centres are: Ebonyi (12), Borno (122) and 24 deaths, Zamfara (8), Kano (690) with 36 deaths and Gombe (41) and 3 deaths.

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