Lockdown not same as martial law, says HURIWA

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has said the 14-day lockdown imposed by President Muhammadu Buhari is not the same as martial law deployed in some countries.

HURIWA, in a statement by the National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko and National Media Affairs Director, Miss Zainab Yusuf said it was increasingly frightening that armed security forces deployed to check violations of the 14-day lockdown and other curfews imposed by state governors, are viewing the current health emergency caused by the pandemic, the same as a time of martial law or military dictatorship, whereby the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999, as amended is suspended. 

HURIWA argued that it is practically impossible for a government that came in through democratic process to seek to transform itself into a full dictatorship, hiding under the Quarantine law, which lacks the power of override over the grund norm. 

“Far from it. We want to remind the Federal Government that the Quarantine law cited by the President a day after he declared the 14-day lockdown as the legal authority for his decision cannot and has no power to override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, some commercial drivers, yesterday, resumed business in Abuja, as they were seen plying most roads in the city centre. It was noticed that social distancing was not observed in the manner passengers sat in these vehicles.