Governors of the 36 states of the federation have resolved to discuss the legality of the lockdown imposed by President Muhammadu Buhari on some states as a way of preventing the spread of coronavirus, with the Presidency.
The decision was taken on Thursday at the meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF.
It would be recalled that the lockdown by the president in some states have been a source of controversy with some sections of the society declaring it illegal.
In the communiqué issued at the end of the teleconference, the chairman of NGF, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, said other relevant issues were discussed.
The communiqué reads in part: “Following a briefing from the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning on fiscal measures taken by the Federal Government to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic, the Forum called for urgent fiscal measures to safeguard the liquidity of state governments.
“This include the acceleration of an arrangement to suspend all state deductions and restructure all debt service payments on Federal Government and Central Bank of Nigeria-owned debts.
“Members also received briefing from the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, on stimulus incentives from the Federal Government to support vulnerable households across states cope with the expected loss of income and livelihoods in the coming months.
“Governors committed to leading the effort through state focal persons in charge of social protection to ensure that palliatives, including food and cash transfers, reach the most vulnerable population in all states.”
