Governor El-Rufai begs for forgiveness over covid-19 lockdown

Governor Nasir El-Rufai is one of the first movers to impose strick covid-19 regulations in the country, and who also tested positive to covid-19.

The move to swiftly lockdown Kaduna State in a bid to keep the roaring covid-19 in check, and prevent its spread, is said to be working despite backslash from the public who accused the governor of dictatorship.


The Governor however, in a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Saturday 16th May, asked the State's residents for forgiveness although said the lockdown was necessary due to the danger covid-19 poses.

He said, “This is to thank you for staying home and staying safe during this difficult period.

“I know it is difficult for people that are used to the hustle and bustle of life, going out, visiting friends and relations, going to work, going to the market, going to mosques and churches, to now be told to stay at home.



“I ask you to bear with us. And for all those of you that have been inconvenienced by staying at home, I seek your forgiveness as your governor. But this has become absolutely necessary to control the spread of this pandemic."

Meanwhile, Kaduna State chapter of the Council of Imams and Ulama has called for a gradual relaxation of the COVID-19 imposed lockdown in the state.

Chairman of the council, Shaykh Ibrahim Nakaka, made the appeal in a statement on Sunday.


“The Council appreciates the good leadership qualities exhibited by the Governor Mallam Nasiru Ahmad el- Rufai, his Deputy Dr Hadiza Balarabe who acted in his absence and the entire state task force committee on COVID -19 in ensuring that the coronavirus does not cause much havoc to the people of Kaduna state compared to its neighboring states where their state government failed to act immediately right from the onset of the pandemic.

“Based on these success, the Council is calling on the state government to begin to look at the possibilities of gradual relaxation of the lockdown process in the state but with stringent conditions of using face masks and intensify grassroots sensitization for hand washing with soap and the use of hand sanitizers as recommended by the public health experts so as to prevent any possible local transmission.



“This, the Council feels will assist in alleviating the sufferings of the people of Kaduna state while at same time not jeopardizing the fight against the dreaded coronavirus.

“The Council is of the opinion that when the free movement is restored in the state, entry borders should still be kept closed, until such a time when the state is safe from cross boarder transmission.”