In-spite of enlightenment campaigns aimed at sensitizing the general public on the dangers on the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic which is posing threats to world economic stability, it is disheartening to note the several reported cases of unbothered attitude of Nigerians who have constantly refuse to comply with the advises of the public health experts.
Cases of non-compliance to government measures is been reported on a daily basis even as the country continues to have rising figures of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Notable amongst these was the mass gathering at the burial site of the Demised Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Late Abba Kyari, who died after long struggle with the COVID-19.
As if this is not enough, video evidence obtained by StarMedia Renaissance has revealed another political gathering which took place on the 16th of May, 2020, in Umuomaku, a community in Anambra State. According to a reliable source, this event was a rally held by the immediate past President General of the community union – Robert Obi. Others named in the organizing of the event includes the following; Zion Nwadike, Some members of the union caretaker committee, Hon. Tony Ibekwe and Daniel Amazu among others. “What we are witnessing here is a political rally held to draw support for our party – Young Progressives Party (YPP)”. A source said.
When asked why holding this event at this crucial time considering the risk of members contacting the fast spreading COVID-19, another source spoke, “this is an arrangement by the past PG Robert Obi who few days before the rally was accused of disloyalty to the ruling party APGA”, which he also belongs. Our findings further revealed however that there has been a suspected misrepresentation from the caretaker committee to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as some key members of the union are seen to be infiltrators setup by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Regardless of the internal tussle within the community and party representation, It is quite worrisome that despite all awareness campaigns, programmes and announcements made by government agencies, including several advises of the public health experts and the state governor, some citizens have shown through their attitudes that none of these matters to them. The organized rally, as was seen in the video, showed absolute disregard to social distancing. Most of the attendees were not even wearing face masks as advised by appropriate health quarters.