Opinion Polls: Some Nigerians Call For The Relaxation Of Ban on Religious Centres, While Some Stand Against It

The suspension of religious centres in States such as Lagos, Ogun and Abuja has seen clerics and other professions call out on the government and each other as some of them harbour support for the relaxation of both institutions while others are totally against it.

Here are some opinions from its citizens:

“CAN knows that this pandemic is from the pit of hell and against the peace of the church. Moreover most countries have reopened their places of worship”. 

“Why it that our leaders have refused to reopened places of worship and yet find it convenient to reopene market places?” — Johnson Akingboye, Cleric

“The situation in the country is a wakeup call to Christians to seek alternative sources of income rather than attending church activities all day. Some preachers are not telling us the truth.” — Hazeem Ogunade, Designer

“Government should give us proof why social distancing rule is not observed at some of its functions while CAN should enumerate the benefits for reopening of churches. Both responses will tell us whether or not they are fighting for their selfish interests or the interest of Nigerians.” — Sikiru Agbaje, Architect

“Both the government and CAN have jointly discussed reopening of churches since this pandemic before now. CAN should explain to Nigerians why reopening of churches is more important than schools and relaxation centres”. — Femi Egbetokun, Businessman

“The church is God’s banquet hall where we are fed with spiritual food to keep us alive and strong. So whatever stops the church from fellowshipping [sic] is out to destroy what God is building,” — Bishop David Oyedepo, Cleric

First of all it has to do with the nature of traditional society,”, People have a strong attachment to religion. Some even think that this is a conspiracy to prevent Muslims from praying,” and that there is no such thing as a coronavirus”. —Aliyu Tilde, Analyst 

“Instead of criticizing the government, they should collaborate with them, They must be prepared to offer some of their halls for the government to use as isolation centers.” — Tunde Bakare, Cleric

“Why a section of the church sees that Jesus Christ will never want his real Church closed down because of a disease which is what I also believe, there are also those who would say, ‘let us divide and close everything down until the pandemic is over’. Men are challenging the efficacy of God’s power upon the land.” — Bishop Charles Ighele, Cleric 

“The call by some Christian leaders for the reopening of churches in the face of COVID-19 pandemic is inhuman and insensitive. There are scriptural examples of pandemic in the Holy Bible and God’s instruction to mankind during these periods was for man to stay indoor until the siege was over”. — Banjo Ayenakin, Barrister

“Personally, with the uncertainties around COVID-19, I will suggest that all public religious gatherings should remain suspended till further notice. Life and being healthy should come first. And I don’t think that God will be particularly upset that His children are safe and healthy.” — Rev. Fr. Raymond Anoliefo, Cleric 

“servants of God must obey government. The Bible says we must obey those in authority. If we reopen churches, how are we going to manage the spread of COVID-19 virus? Are we to please ourselves as Christians or to please God? If we disobey, we are not pleasing God; we are pleasing ourselves”. — Olapade Agoro, Cleric

“ To hearken is better than sacrifice. To me, any man of God who feels comfortable to disobey the law of the land is not a real man of God but a self serving man. We, as Christians, are not meant to break the law of the land. What happens if the traditionalists break this same law of restrictions too?”. — Chief Taiye Ayorinde, Community Leader