Peter Obi warns as markets are closed over Coronavirus

A former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has wept for the poor as businesses are being closed down over Coronavirus scare.

He warned against locking down the country over the scare, without cushioning the effects of such action on the people, especially the poor.

He said that whilst all possible measures should be deployed to stop the spread of the coronavirus, appropriate measures should be taken to mitigate the suffering of the vulnerable in society.

In a statement by his Media Adviser Mr. Valentine Obienyem and was made available to our correspondent, Mr. Obi, who was the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 general elections said markets and other business ventures should not be closed to further impoverish the poor masses.

The Vice Presidential candidate said, “There are several millions of our populace who are unemployed and underemployed, whose means of livelihood depends on daily income which the present situation will definitely worsen.”

Mr. Obi noted that in locking down the country, such vulnerable people should be factored into government policies, as was the case in other countries, by putting measures in place to cushion the effects of the lockdown on them.

He expressed gratitude for the efforts of some political leaders, captains of Industry and corporate bodies, urged the Federal Government to do more to mitigate the situation, especially for poor Nigerians, as being witnessed in other climes.

The Vice Presidential candidate added, “It would be counter-productive to keep only the elite in mind when taking such far-reaching decisions as closing down markets without having some cushioning measures for the traders.”

Mr. Obi enjoined politicians, especially legislators, to go back to their constituencies to be with their people at a time like this.

“This is the time to be with your people in your various constituencies,” he said.

The Vice Presidential candidate said it did not make any sense for politicians to be observing the stay-at-home in various places outside their constituencies at this trying time, instead of being with their constituents to help their people to find solutions to their problems and challenges.

He said that by being in their constituencies to monitor the situation, the elected leaders will be in a position not only to support their people in their time of need, but to also properly advice government on how to address the fall outs of government policies.

Mr. Obi called on leaders of all segments of society to make sacrifices and show commitment at this critical period in the history of the country.