By Mudiaga Affe, Tobi Adebayo
A coalition of civil societies in Edo State has issued an ultimatum to the governor, Godwin Obaseki, over the government’s decision to ban unvaccinated residents from accessing Churches, Mosques, banks, events centres, and other public places.
Obaseki, during the flag-off of the second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination in Benin, had announced that people who refuse to take the COVID-19 vaccine will be barred from large gatherings and public places.
“With what we have seen so far, COVID-19 pandemic is here to stay. This is the third wave and there is nothing that points to the fact that other waves will not come.
“What we are likely to see is intermittent waves of this pandemic. We are not going to shut down Edo State but we will make sure we protect all Edo citizens.
“Therefore, I have come out with the following regulations, beginning from the second week of September 2021.
“Large gatherings, as well as high traffic public and private places, will only be accessed by persons who have proof of taking at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
“Such people will not be allowed to worship in churches and mosques. There will be no access to banking halls and event centres without proof of vaccination at the gates,” the governor said.
Protesting Obaseki’s announcement, youths, under the aegis of Equity Initiatives, in their hundreds held a protest around the Benin metropolis.
They marched through the streets of Benin City with placards with various inscriptions such as ” Obaseki can’t force us to take covid-19, vaccines”, “I have right to the mosque” “we have right to decide ” among others.
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The protesters described the stance as “forceful” and issued a seven-day ultimatum to the governor to reverse the decision.
They described the plan by the government as tantamount to trampling on the fundamental rights of the citizens and asked the Governor to face infrastructural decay and insecurity in the state.
Convener and spokesperson for the group, Chris Iyama said, “we are here to express our displeasure over government move to force Edo people to take covid 19 vaccines. This is against our fundamental human rights.
“You cannot force someone to eat what he or she doesn’t want. Are we in a banana Republic? We own the state, not the government.”
Also, the Interim state chairman, Edo civil society, Bishop Osadolor Ochei, said it is the right of the citizens to decide whether to be vaccinated or not.
“If the government have failed, we cannot fail ourselves. Government have the right to make policies but this policy is not law”. Ochei noted.
