Governor Nyesom Wike
Governor Nyesom Wike has cancelled the concession granted to churches to carry on with Easter Celebration in Rivers State.
Wike had relaxed the lockdown order in the State on Thursday to enable Christians to observe their religious obligations during Easter.
But the Catholic church in reaction said it was better to be careful and continue to observe social distancing, the established measure of preventing the pandemic given the threat COVID-19 poses.
However, reacting the Rivers State Government, in a statement signed by its commissioner for Information, Paul Nsirim, on Saturday, disclosed that the concession had been cancelled.
According to Nsirim, the decision was reached after due consultation.
“The Rivers State Government has cancelled the concession granted churches to hold Easter Church Services with their full congregations.
“This decision was taken after due consultations with eminent clergymen, well-meaning Nigerians and civil society groups.
“For the avoidance of doubt, churches should stick to the 50 persons per service to maintain social distancing,” the statement added.
Earlier, the Catholic Church in the State had asked its members to stay safe and observe Easter Sunday at home.
You will recall that everyevery.ng had reported earlier that the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had rescinded his decision to relax the lockdown order to allow Christian to celebrate Easter in the State.