There is uncertainty as to whether the President Muhammadu Buhari will relax lockdown or extend the lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
The lockdown – now a month old became necessary to curb the spread of Coronavirus. Like Mr Buhari, some governors also ordered total lockdown in their states. Meanwhile, a viral post went round on WhatsApp on Sunday claimed that governors have met to set up lockdown timetable and make face masks compulsory.
CLAIM: New timetable for COVID-19 lockdown from Nigeria governors forum. A claim went viral saying the Nigerian Governors have set up a new timetable for COVID-19 lockdown.
The post read as follows:
NEW TIMETABLE FOR COVID-19 LOCKDOWN FROM NIGERIA GOVERNORS FORUM
Saturday, 25th April, 2020- Total lockdown.
Sunday, 26th April, 2020- Total lockdown.
Monday, 27th April,2020-
Free period: 7am -2pm.
Tuesday, 28th April, 2020-
Total Lockdown.
Wednesday, 29th April, 2020-
Free period: 7am-2pm
Thursday, 30th April, 2020-
Total Lockdown.
Friday, 1st May, 2020
Free period: 7am-2pm
The use of face masks is now compulsory and will be enforced from 1st May 2020. Offenders will, however, be punished according to the Law.
VERIFICATION: POLITICS NIGERIA understands that truly Nigerian Governors met last Friday to discuss the effect of the lockdown and they pleaded with the President to relax the lockdown.
The governors’ appeal was contained in a memo dated April 24, sent to the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and signed by the Ekiti State governor and chairman of the governors’ forum, Kayode Fayemi. It was not reported by any credible platforms that there is a lockdown timetable.
Secondly, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on New Media Jibril Gawat, took to Twitter to debunk the viral lockdown timetable.
“For people asking, re-asking and re-asking and re-asking and re-asking ….. This “Time Table” flying around on Whatsapp is NOT from Lagos State Government ….. Be Patient and wait for Mr President to announce the next direction … E she ooo … #ForAGreaterLagos”
For people asking, re-asking and re-asking and re-asking and re-asking ….. This “Time Table” flying around on Whatsapp is NOT from Lagos State Government ….. Be Patient and wait for Mr President to announce the next direction … E she ooo … #ForAGreaterLagos pic.twitter.com/Hwbn9miPV1
— Gawat Jubril A. (@Mr_JAGss) April 27, 2020
More so, the state Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho also debunked the claim on Facebook.
VERDICT: Based on the available information, it is FALSE that Nigerian governors set up a lockdown time. We urge Nigerians to be aware of fake news amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.
