According to the Christian Association of Nigeria, worshippers have the right to choose whether or not to get the COVID-19 vaccine. On Wednesday, CAN President, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle , issued a statement headlined, “Political leaders should learn to Tolerate Citizens’ Criticism of Policies and Programmes of Government.”
Ayokunle stated that the government has no right to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for Muslim and Christian believers.
According to The Punch, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has ordered residents to get the vaccine, stating that anyone who has not been vaccinated will not be permitted into public venues such as banks and worship centers starting from September 15.
“From the second week of September, people may not be allowed to worship in churches and mosques without showing proof of their vaccination cards at the gates,” the government warned last week as it launched the second phase of the COVID-19 immunization campaign.
Just after its State Executive Council meeting in Akure on Monday, the Ondo State Government gave all eligible individuals a two-week deadline to get the vaccines.
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“Aside from existing protocols, all residents must be vaccinated with effect from two weeks from now. After the expiration of these two weeks, evidence of vaccination will be the condition to access public places, churches, mosques,” stated the Ondo Commissioner for Information, Donald Ojogo.
CAN rejects a ban on worshippers, saying that taking the COVID-19 immunization is a personal decision.
In response, Ayokunle asked the government to focus on enlightenment rather than forcing people to get the vaccine.
“On the other hand, CAN urges the government of Edo State to rescind its plan to bar people who could not show the evidence of vaccination from entering the church, mosques, and public events centers beginning from September,” he stated.
“While we fully support vaccination, we equally recognize that vaccination depends on individual choice. In view of the foregoing, coercing people into getting vaccinated is a violation of the fundamental right of each individual,” he added.
“Let the government and all of us be emphasizing the observance of COVID-19 protocols all the time. The vaccines available now in the country through the Federal Government are far below the population of Nigerians that needs the vaccine.
“We call for improved sustainable public enlightenment, synergy, and strategy in the management of the situation. Let wisdom and sound judgment prevail.
“May the Lord wipe away the infection from Nigeria quickly and from all over the globe in Jesus’ name.”
