By Monsuru Olowoopejo
Following confirmation of third Coronavirus case in Nigeria, Advocacy for Integrity and Economic Development (AIED) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to restrict travellers from countries battling with severe Coronavirus cases to preserve the wellbeing of the citizens.
According to the group, the refusal of the President to initiate the shutdown protocol as a betrayal of the solemn oath he took to safeguard Nigerians against external and internal forces.
In a statement on Tuesday, the organization’s Director of Media and Publicity, O’Seun John, stressed that continued acceptance of travellers from Italy and others battling with the virus put millions of Nigerians at risk.
According to the release, “Today, we find it extremely hard to understand the motive behind the refusal of the President Buhari administration to close the Nigerian borders and shut down our Airports against travellers from coronavirus infected countries in the wake of the global pandemic.
“It is unexplainable that a Father will knowingly and wishfully expose his children to the cold hand of death to satisfy an ego of superiority in the fight against the deadly COVID-19.
“Let’s make no mistake, Nigeria is on the brink of an outbreak and like South Korea, who was doing everything right until patient number 31 decided to disobey social distancing order, we can not afford to leave the country to the unseen hands of the divine.
“President Buhari must take action, this is not a plea, he sworn to an oath of allegiance to Nigeria and Nigerians and the safety of Nigerians must come first.
“We are therefore calling on President Buhari to immediately initiate the shutdown protocol and stop putting the lives of Nigerians at risk. We are also calling on him to activate a partial nationwide emergency protocol and have companies direct staff to work remotely.
“The current situation calls for decisive action. It is better to be proactive and stop a looming danger than to send condolence letters, ” the statement added.