The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has reacted to the Coronavirus lockdown extension in Lagos, Ogun and the FCT by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The party in a statement on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to look at increasing security threats in Ogun, Lagos, and other states.
The statement was signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary Adelaja Adeoye.
It said: “We must prepare not only to contain the Coronavirus but also consider the effect of the lockdown on the employers of Labour and their employees, who carry the largest workforce.
“Some of them might resort into downsizing after the pandemic is over, because of how bad they may have been affected. To avoid massive job cuts, the government at both Federal and State levels should work out some relief for these employers, in form of supports.”
ADP also noted that, while it is appreciated that President Buhari has increased the social benefits from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million, which shows the addition of 1 million households, “there must be transparency and accountability in the process of making these funds available to the beneficiaries so that the real vulnerable Nigerians will benefit and their palliatives will not be shared amongst politicians and their followers only.
“Nigerians who are enduring the pain of lockdown, while millions of them struggle to feed their children, are now facing a serious threat from gangs, and armed robbers who operate in large numbers with so much audacity and gut in Lagos and Ogun State, calling on the President to give the development serious attention.
“We noticed that Mr. President did not mention the rising cases of attacks against Nigerians during this lockdown, specifically in Lagos and Ogun State, while making his nationwide broadcast on Monday evening, it is a very serious matter, as many residents have been calling for help on social media, while many of the videos online are very disturbing when these assailants invade their neighborhoods.
“We are of the opinion that security forces should not only enforce the stay at home order, but must respond swiftly to any security threat experienced by all Nigerians at this time.”
