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Coronavirus: You Are Not A Medical Expert, Presidency Slams Soyinka Over COVID-19 Statement

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Wole Soyinka Roasts Buhari, DSS Over Sowore's Rearrest
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The presidency has urged Nigerians to disregard the submissions of Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka over government actions in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Nigeria.

Naija News recalls the internationally acclaimed playwright, Soyinka had slammed President Muhammadu Buhari over the lockdown of three states in the country.

It could be recalled that President Buhari on Sunday, March 29 ordered the lockdown of Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory for fourteen days over coronavirus.

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According to him, Buhari had no constitutional backing to make such declaration, denying the governors from exercising their authorities over their respective states.

However, the presidency on Wednesday, in a statement signed by Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on media and publicity disagreed with the Professor.

Shehu noted that as much as Soyinka has a right to his personal opinions, he is not a medical professor neither is he a medical expert, hence his opinions may not hold water.

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“Yesterday (Tuesday), the esteemed Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka made comments on the legal status and description of 14-day lockdown announced by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Professor Soyinka is not a medical professor. His qualifications are in English literature, and his prizes are for writing books and plays for theatres. He is of course entitled to his opinions – but that is exactly all they are: semantics, not science. They cannot – and should not – therefore be judged as professional expertise in this matter in any shape or form.

The presidential statement recalled other countries that have locked down their territories to prevent further spread of the coronavirus disease as well as medical experts who have described current global efforts in tackling the virus as a ‘war.’

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“Across the world – from parts of the United States and China, to countries including the United Kingdom and France, government – mandated lockdowns are in place to slow and defeat the spread of coronavirus. All have been declared, and all have been made necessary, based on medical and scientific evidence. The guidance of the Nigerian Government’s medical specialists is to advise the same.

“Professor Soyinka has also declared, doubtless based on his specialism as a playwright, that: “We are not in a war emergency’’.

Eminent scientists say otherwise:

“Dr Richard Hatchett, Head of the International Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (and former Director of the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority) has said, ‘War is an appropriate analogy’.

“Professor Anthony Fauci, Director of the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force has said of the battle against the pandemic: ‘It’s almost like the fog of war’.

Garba further noted in his statement that the action taken by the federal government under the leadership of President Buhari was within the legal framework and constitutional provisions.

“As for the legality of the lock down, the Government of Nigeria’s primary duty in law and action is the defence of the people of Nigeria. We face a global pandemic. Nigeria is now affected. The scientific and medical guidance the world over is clear: the way to defeat the virus is to halt its spread through limitation of movement of people.

“Perhaps Wole Soyinka may write a play on the coronavirus pandemic, after this emergency is over. In the meantime, we ask the people of Nigeria to trust the words of our doctors and scientists – and not fiction writers – at this time of national crisis.’’