COVID-19: Gov Wike relaxes lockdown in Rivers State, permits Christians to celebrate Easter with full congregation

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has relaxed the lockdown order in the state over the Coronavirus pandemic.

His decision was announced in a statement signed by Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant to the Governor (Electronic Media), and issued to newsmen on Thursday.

Nwakaudu stated that the restrictions were relaxed to enable Christians observe their religious obligations during the Easter period.

It stated: “In a state broadcast on Thursday, Gov. Wike said the directive also permits the Muslim community to observe their Jumaat prayers within the period.

“In the spirit of Easter, therefore, and after a careful review of the state of COVID-19 situation in our state, we have decided to temporarily relax the restrictions on large religious gathering, as follows:

“Friday, April 10, 2020 – all Moslem faithful should observe Juma’at prayers in their mosques or prayer grounds throughout the state and pray for the peace, forgiveness, and the blessings of Allah upon the state.

“Sunday, April 12, 2020 – all Christians should have Easter church services with their full congregation and pray to God to forgive us of our sins, continue to intervene in our affairs, and protect the state and our people from the coronavirus.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the relaxation on mass religious gathering is limited only to the aforementioned respective dates.’’

The Federal Government had declared Friday, April 10, and Monday, April 13, as public holidays for Christians to celebrate Easter.