By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has thrown his weight behind the preventive measures being taken by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to stop the spread of novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) within the state.
Tinubu said Gov. Sanwo-Olu had shown leadership in the implementation of the response strategy to manage confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and tracing of suspected cases, even beyond the borders of the State.
The former Lagos State Governor described coronavirus as “mysterious enemy”, saying leaders across the globe were in for a “challenging period” as they take actions on daily basis to combat the ravaging epidemic.
Tinubu spoke on Tuesday after a private meeting with Governor Sanwo-Olu at the State House in Marina.
Tinubu said: “First of all, I congratulate the Government of Lagos State for what has been done so far and the regular information that the Government is sharing with the public. This is the essence of leadership. Nigerians need a lot of education in this challenging period.
“I congratulate the Governor (Sanwo-Olu), for the fact that he asked the workers to stay at home to discontinue the chain of transmission. We must respect this order and obey the Government. We endorse the position of the Governor. Let people stay at home this period and pray in their houses.”
Tinubu said he would be in support of further more stringent measures, suggesting a total lockdown in the State to stop the epidemic.
If the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK) could lock down the city of London, the APC leader said there would be nothing strange if Lagos Government took similar decision.
He said: “I can’t pre-empt what the Governor would be doing next. But, whatever decision he takes, he has our support. We have reviewed the previous measures with him and he has also reviewed with his team. We have confidence in the team; whatever they say, we will comply.”
Tinubu said the people must embrace the new culture of social distancing to break the cycle of transmission, noting that actions being introduced against COVID-19 would teach people the lesson of keeping hygienic at all times.
He particularly advised students and market women to heed the Government’s directive, stressing that their activities must help the nation to win the battle against the disease.
Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu has ordered the closure of markets and stores in the state with effect from Thursday March 26, as a precautionary measure against the infectious Corona Virus ravaging the globe.
Addressing a press conference today on the closure of markets effective Thursday, the governor however, exempted markets/stores that sell essential commodities such as medical equipment, water and foodstuffs, disclosing that some closed school premises will be used as outlets to sell essential needs of the people.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said: “It is not a total lockdown, we still want people on essential services to go about their normal activities.
“We are trying to de-centralise markets in Lagos. This is why we want to use some of our closed schools as markets, so people can buy food and medicine without going a long distance.
“It is only when you are alive that you can talk about economics and finance.”
