Lagos govt says it can’t re-open churches, mosques for now

The Lagos State Government led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of opening churches and mosques across the state now.

Onyxnews Nigeria reported that the Federal Government of Nigeria had on Monday lifted the ban on religious gathering (strictly mosques and churches) in the country based on guidelines and protocols agreed with state governments.

But the state government on Tuesday said opening churches and mosques might be impossible now due to the peculiar nature of Lagos State.

Prince Anofiu Elegushi, Commissioner for Home Affairs, while at a Ministerial briefing with journalists said the possibility of reopening churches and mosques in the state had been ruled out.

“Even before the pronouncement by Federal Government, we have been having meeting with the religious leaders, we even have one with Safety Commission, looking at the possibility of reopening of religious houses.

‘’We also had one with the leaders of the two faith and I want to tell you categorically that at that meeting, possibility of reopening religious houses was ruled out totally.

‘’They claimed that they cannot take such responsibility of ensuring that only 20 or 50 people are praying behind them. Like an Imam said, he doesn’t know what is going on at the back immediately he is leading a prayer. He said if more than 20 or 50 people are staying at his back he was not going to take responsibility for their presence.

‘’So in the meeting, we ruled out in totality the issue of reopening the religious houses until we have a clear coast for us to do so. The Federal Government mentioned it, but it never ruled out the state in achieving that pronouncement, so all states will have to look at possibility of doing so in their respective states.” Elegushi said.

“We all know Lagos is still having more figures. So definitely, that will speak to our decision. But the governor of the state will come out with further directives. We will call the two faith together and discuss the pronouncement and I can assure you that they themselves will tell us not to do it,” he added.