COVID-19: Northern Elders Forum Cautions Governors Against Playing Politics With Numbers

Northern Elders Forum has decried attempts by many State Governments to play politics with numbers for what appears to be expectations that more funds from the federal government and foreign donors will be allocated to them in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen on Thursday and signed by Convener, Northern Elders Forum Professor Ango Abdullahi, the Magajin Rafin Zazzau.

According to the statement, it is public knowledge that what the entire nation needs are good policies that protect all Nigerians; equipment and facilities for testing and treatment and resources to support people who will find it hard to stay at home without some palliatives during lockdowns.

The statement added that these requirements can be met with resources currently available, but they need to be put at the service of the public in a transparent and professional manner.

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It further stresses that, policies that waste progress in some parts of the country and others which trample on the rights of vulnerable groups must be discouraged and that states should adopt policies that suit their peculiarities, but the nation as a whole must agree on, and implement basic policies that protect the entire population.

On Kano’s issue, the statement stated that the forum commends the decision to deploy a strong medical team too, among others, verify the causes of many deaths that are being popularly attributed to the pandemic, as well as assist the government of Kano State to improve its facilities, investigations and treatment of suspected infections and those who are infected.

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“We further commend the decision of the federal government to source for equipment’s and facilities on behalf of the Kano State government and we urge that this is done with speed and openness,” it said.