In reaction to the outcry of top Nigerian Religion leaders, Bishop David O. Oyedepo, TB Joshua and Pastor Chris Oyakhilome over the end of the compulsory lockdown ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari after 4 weeks, but still imposed on religions gatherings ,the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has cleared the air on why markets and shops are allowed to open while churches and mosques are still under lock and key.



Speaking on Thursday at the daily COVID-19 briefing in Abuja, Dr. Sani Aliyu, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 said that the easing of the lockdown is to allow for minimal economic activity, and not for entertainment.

Dr. Aliyu made the clarification when he was asked by a journalist to respond to calls from Bishop David Oyedepo and Pastor Chris Oyakhilome for churches to be opened since markets have been allowed to function.


Recall Bishop Oyedepo had queried the logic behind allowing a market to open which according to him is not orderly, and closing a church which he said is more orderly.

“It is important for us to know that the easing of the lockdown does not mean that COVID-19 has been defeated. It is purely to allow for economic activity to go on, while at the same time the public is protected,” Dr. Aliyu said.