NGO fears upsurge of COVID-19 cases, seeks support for INEC, Edo, Ondo governorship elections

The COVID-19 Situation Room and Research Centre has frowned at the manner at which the politicians totally disobeyed the INEC policy guidelines and protocols for conduct of primaries elections as approved by the WHO, NCDC and Presidential Task Force.

We saw how majority of the politicians did not keep to social distancing and the use of face mask by their party members especially at the Edo and Ondo governorship primaries.

In a joint statement signed by the chairman (CSSRC) Dr. Onwubuya John Abraham and Director Media and Publicity Prince (Amb.) Johnson Adesida on Tuesday 28th July, 2020 after an emergency board meeting at the organization’s office in Abuja, the duo stated that it is unfortunate that this arbitrary flattering of the COVID-19 protocols will undermine the efforts of the Federal and state government towards containing the spread of Coronavirus in Nigeria.

However, Mr President through the Presidential Task Force has done so much in expending huge resources to contain the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve as CSRRC commend the PTF for decrying the massive disregard for safety protocols as we did during our community awareness and sensitization/education in Orozo community of FCT.

Moreso, we called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to set up Enforcement Unit to monitor and ensure that politicians obey the policy guidelines and protocols of conducting election amid COVID-19, otherwise, the danger will be unprecedented as the aftermath effect when the elections in both Edo and Ondo state are over, there will be overwhelming spread of COVID-19 that will be difficlt for the government to contain.

We therefore, call all the candidates and political parties to place the health of the citizens above board in the conduct of the electioneering campaigns and the governorship elections. while we simultaneously called on the government to support INEC in the enforcement procedures.

We wish all Nigerians well, as this virus is real, not a scam, not a joke especially as we celebrate the Eid el Kabir and Elections in both Edo and Ondo respectively.