Adebayo Abdulrahman
The Oyo State chapter of the Socialist Party of Nigeria, SPN, has wished the Executive Governor of the State, Engr. Seyi Makinde quick recovery from coronavirus.
The party also demanded the Governor to order a total lockdown of the state and also provide a relief allowance of N50,000 to citizens of the state.
The party disclosed this in a letter dated 31st March 2020 signed by the Secretary of the Party in the State, Ayodeji Adigun.
In the letter, the party described the news that the Governor had tested positive for COVID-19 as a not cheering news to them even though it is an unfortunate confirmation of their earlier suspicion over the status of the Governor given the media report at theirdisposal which apparently compelled them to call on him and his SA on tourism, Mr. Taiwo Adebisi to subject themselves for a COVID-19 test.
“However, given the fact that the Governor may have infected more people as a primary carrier of the COVID-19 to numerous contacts, we of the SPN, Oyo State Chapter believe that to avoid furtherspread of the virus at this point will require immediate self-isolation of members of the first family, domestic stewards, cabinet members, friends, associates, business partners and everyone who had in one way or another had physical contact or had been at close proximity with Governor Seyi Makinde. This measure m in addition to the Governor self-isolation which has earlier been announced will also help to ascertain the extent of possible spread of the COVID 19 in Oyo State.
“Also, the development is an indication that our earlier fear and worry that the health and lives of many people particularly youths in the state might have been imperiled is very valid especially, with the irresponsible conduct of Mr. David Adeleke popularly known as Davido and Mr. Taye Adebisi, known as Currency who were supposed to be in a self-isolation but went ahead to perform at different shows in Ibadan partly because of the lackadaisical attitude of the Governor and the Government to ensure effective enforcement of the order that no gathering above 50 people should be allowed within the period.“
The party then called on the PDP-led government to effect a total lockdown of the state with adequate provision of relief package of N50, 00 for every working people household so as to enable them to stock up in order to survive the lockdown.
“We strongly believe that this is the only way to ensure that the lockdown could enjoy effective compliance without it degenerating into a state of anarchy where people will be forced to be looting and stealing in a bid to survive the lockdown.“ He added.
He stressed further that the party frowns against any lockdown that will aid and protect the big business owner to continue to make a profit while the democratic rights and interests of the working people are undermined.
“It is in the view of this that we opposed the concession allegedly given to institutions like banks to continue to operate without any provision of hazard allowance for workers in this sector in the ongoing lockdown in Lagos and Abuja.“
The party then called on the NLC, TUC, and ULC to be ready to take up action against any exploitative move of the government and big business to undermine and compromise the collective interest of workers and the poor working masses.
