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Covid-19 lockdown: No one with beard will defend me on judgment day – El-Rufai

Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has said that all the measures his administration is putting in place to curtail the spread of coronavirus are in the best interest of the people, especially their health.

The governor said this on Tuesday during a media chat which featured his deputy Hadiza Balarabe, some commissioners and other officials of the administration.

“I know some of the decisions we are taking are very difficult and I thank the people for their patience and understanding. I know I will account for my actions before God and no one with beard will be there to speak for me.”

He said those accusing his administration of stopping people from praying are not speaking truth and the Almighty Allah will judge between them on the day of reckoning.

“I am not claiming to be a religious scholar and I am not keeping any beard. However, that does not mean I don’t know anything about religion. I know what the prophet of Islam asked the people to do during such trying times.

“I also know that people can pray even in their homes or wherever they are. It doesn’t have to be in mosques. We are all seeing what Saudi Arabia is doing at the two Holy Mosques. Only the workers are attending prayers there and outsiders are barred.

“Even the annual Hajj pilgrimage may not take place this year because of the coronavirus pandemic and the Saudi authorities have placed countries on notice of this possibility. Many religious leaders are of the view that people’s lives should always take precedence in times like these and this is what has been guiding us.”

El-Rufai said on Saturday he will keep vigil on the Kaduna-Kano border and see those who will violate the order against inter-state travels as given by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

“Those who are planning to go to neighbouring states for Eid prayers should be prepared to remain there. We will not allow the recklessness of a few to put us in unnecessary trouble,” he said, adding that eid prayers are not obligatory unlike Friday prayers.

On the comments by some challenging the government as to why markets will be allowed to open while religious centres remain closed, El-Rufai said “People should stop comparing the two as people can pray in their homes but cannot get what to eat without going out.”

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