Benue Government Reverses Decision To Lift Ban On Religious Gathering

Benue State Government has reversed its decision to reopen worship centres, markets and public places.

The state government had on Thursday announced its decision to lift restrictions on all activities and directed all worship centers, markets and other public activities to reopen.

But while Muslim faithful were warming up to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr, the state government, on Saturday, announced its new decision to revert to the status quo where churches, mosques, and other public places like markets were closed.

Briefing newsmen at the Government House in Makurdi, the governor, Samuel Ortom who made the announcement, said the directive was based on the advice of the Federal Government, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and other religious bodies who opposed the reopening of worship centres and other public places in the state.

Ortom added that since Benue is part of the Nigerian Federation, it is working in collaboration with relevant federal agencies including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC and would not want to be seen as working at variance with them.

He stated: “We are a component part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we appreciate the fact that the Federal Government is the custodian of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, and they are informed about what is going on, and so we must subject ourselves to their decision in accordance with laws of the land.

“We do not want to endanger the lives of our people. In the event of any challenge concerning this pandemic, the next port of call will be the Federal Government. So, we cannot kick against their advice. We feel that the advice is genuine. If we took a decision and we have this kind of advice that is genuine and meant to support the health of our people, we have no reason whatsoever to go ahead with the decision we earlier took.

“I appreciate Benue people. I thank them. I also appreciate the concern of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Benue State chapter and the Muslim community; but you cannot attend church service or mosque when you are dead so we will secure lives first.

“Therefore, on behalf of the State Executive Council, I hereby reverse the lifting of ban on churches and mosques services/prayers. We have reversed to the status quo where churches, mosques and other public places like markets were closed.

“There will be no church services or mosque prayers where people will gather. Same restrictions cover burials, weddings and other public gatherings which number must not exceed 30 persons as we said earlier. And we will require everyone to appreciate the fact that Coronavirus is real and deadly and there is no cure yet, but there are preventive measures put in place by health experts.

“We advise our people to strictly observe COVID-19 protocol such as washing of hands with soap, wearing of face masks, use of alcohol based hand sanitizers and social distancing. We encourage our people to visit Federal Medical Centre and Benue State University Teaching Hospital anytime they notice symptoms.

“We want to call on Benue people to understand with us. This is a serious matter and we must not take things for granted. We will continue to work with the Federal Government to see when it will be convenient to relax the lockdown.”

The governor also disclosed that a former Commissioner and House of Representatives member, Mrs. Rebecca Apedzan, who was the third COVID-19 patient in the state had recovered from the virus disease and would be discharged today (Saturday).