On Wednesday, NGOs and residents in Edo kicked against Governor Godwin Obaseki’s enforcement of its ‘No COVID-19 vaccination, no entry into government offices and other public places’ order.

The government carried out its threat on September 13 to stop civil servants and other citizens without proof of vaccination from going into public institutions.

It has continued to enforce the order and stopping residents from gaining access to some public places.

Jude Obasanmi, Chief Responsibility Officer of Josemaria Escriva Foundation, said, “Government is trying to see to a minimal spread of the virus in the state by way of enforcing vaccination, but available vaccines can’t go round the more than four million people in the state.”

Mr Obasanmi added, “Government is now depriving people of doing their legitimate businesses in government agencies and ministries. The government’s action is not proper and right because you can’t force people to take what they don’t want into their bodies.”

Mr Obasanmi noted that compelling people to take the jab led to the faking of the state’s vaccination cards.

In her contribution, Annie Umoru, Coordinator, Initiative for Gender Equality and Advancement, urged residents of the state to stand up for their rights and unanimously kick against the order.

“Forcing people to take substances they don’t want into their bodies is a breach of human right. It is very wrong for people to be asked to show their vaccination cards before gaining access to a place,” said Ms Umoru. “People who don’t want to take the jab should speak out in unison because they have the right to do so.’’

Similarly, Bright Oniovokukor, Project Director, Indomitable Youth Organisation, added that forcing jabs on people would affect them psychologically and emotionally.

“Some persons are still sceptical about the long-term effect of the vaccine and are scared of taking the jab,” said Mr Oniovokukor. “The action of the Edo government to force vaccination on its citizens is not the best because the process that has followed the response to the vaccination in different parts of the country does not warrant forced vaccination.”

In Auchi, headquarters of Estako West local government area of Edo North senatorial district, mixed reactions have continued to trail the order.

While some residents, who spoke on the development, faulted the order, some others have complied.

A resident, Aliu Ahmid, said that taking the jab should be a matter of choice.

“I have declined taking the COVID-19 vaccine because it is a matter of choice. The state government cannot force it on residents of the state,’’ he disclosed.

Innocent Oyenbuchi said the government lacked the power to force vaccines on residents and added that it was not a surprise that the matter was now a subject of litigation.

“A court of competent jurisdiction has restrained the state government from enforcing the `no-vaccination-no access to public facilities’ order,” explained Mr Oyenbuchi. “This idea of compulsory vaccination should be put on hold pending the determination of the matter in court.”

“I have taken the vaccine, and I have been complying with all recommended safety guidelines,’’ Sule Ahmed, another resident, stated.

(NAN)