Rivers: We're Not Comfortable With Wike's Relaxation Of Restrictions

The Muslim community in Rivers State, have declared that they are not comfortable with the temporary relaxation of restrictions on religious gatherings by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

Wike, had in a state-wide broadcast on Thursday evening, announced that religious groups would be allowed to hold their full gatherings for the Good Friday and Easter Sunday services.

But speaking with LEADERSHIP via the telephone, the state Islamic Leader, Alhaji Nasir Uhor, said allowing full religious gathering for the two days could lead to increase in the number of Coronavirus cases in the state.

Uhor said: “I do not know that statistics the governor have that inform his decision to relax the restriction order on Jumat and Sunday gatherings. He has all the information and intelligence.

“If I look at it from personal point of view, the state just recorded second Coronavirus case. Now, if there is a second case, then there is room to believe that instead of decreasing now, it is increasing.

“Why should we now gather when the cases of the virus is increasing? Why is that when it is increasing is when we are opening ourselves up?

“I don’t have the information that they have but commonsense says that if we had recorded another case, it means that instead of relaxing suspension, we should be doing everything to reinforce it.

“What happens if there is a massive spread of the virus with this two days? What if there is massive contact within this period? How are we going to be able to detect the new cases? I don’t see the wisdom in that decision.

“The government may know best and I can’t speak for the government but I am not sure we are comfortable with that kind of the decision.

“If they are satisfied that the state is now free from the virus, they can as well lift the restrictions and allow us resume our normal religious gatherings and pray for the country.”