No more COVID-19 in Nigeria, let’s stop wearing mask – Lagos Rep

A member of the House of Representatives representing Alimosho Federal Constituency Olufemi Adebanjo says there is no more COVID-19 in the country.

Speaking at plenary on Thursday, Adebanjo asked Deputy Speaker Idris Wase who presided to allow them stop wearing masks.

“I want to inform the national assembly, especially the house of representatives, concerning the masking of our faces coming to the chamber,” Adebanjo who spoke without a mask said.

“For the past two months, I have not heard of any case of COVID in Nigeria or abroad. The masking has been very painful and the earlier the better we relax the rule that compulsorily asks honourable members to wear the mask. If you look around you can see how many people are wearing the mask.

“It affects our respiratory system and our lungs. So there is no more COVID-19 in Nigeria, there is no more COVID-19 abroad.”

Checks by Western Post however showed that Adebanjo’s claims were not correct.

In its daily report the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 88 new cases of COVID-19 for Wednesday – the day before Adebanjo’s claim – in the country.

The FCT alone – where the national assembly is – had 62 of the 88 new cases.

Responding, Wase said it was only the NCDC who could direct them to stop wearing masks.

“I want to advise, as legislators we are supposed to be compliant with rules, the constitution, the acts and we have the NCDC for regulating our affairs and conduct,” Wase said.

“So it is not for the speaker to rule on their duty that has been assigned to them duly by the act of the national assembly. I want to beg that we should continue to comply with the regulations set for our country and the world.

“We note your concern. As you were speaking, I didn’t see you with the mask. I’m grateful that you have now worn the mask. Your point of order is noted.”