The president announced extension of the lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and FCT after more cases of Covid 19 surfaced. Things seems to be moving rapidly as more testing are being carried out and infection rate going up. The same with the death rate, with The COS to the President, Abba Kyari being the latest victim. Just yesterday, over 50 cases in a single day. We are currently not in a better position now, than back then when the president took the decision to extend the lockdown. Now, what happens after the 14 days expires, can the government afford another extension. For the first time in history, a situation arose that is not in the best interest of the political class and the masses. Never has such convergence of interest arise before.

Forget about the noise that the rich and politicians have so much food in their houses that they can rough out the lockdown for months. The political class only derives legitimacy because the people acknowledged that they are the legal authority. Once this is removed, the political class can be overthrown in an uprising or violent revolution. How long can they hold on to that legitimacy when they have hordes of starving citizens. How long can they keep millions in the largest prison in the world without food or means of survival. Don't be fooled by those donating one food or the other. How long will that go in feeding the masses. Some are already eyeing 2023 elections, with their pictures on the donated materials. Don't blame them, even Donald Trump is putting his signature on the IRS cheques being sent to Americans (He must have learned from Nigeria politicians).

When last have we heard about Oshiomole, or Secondus? Even our celebrities that litters the night clubs every night are holed up somewhere. When last has EFCC Magu conducted press briefing and parading 55 Yahoo boys arrested at various locations. Even the Yahoo boys are hibernating and complaining. Most of their would be victims in UK, US and Europe have lost their jobs waiting for Trump's handout. The rich have also been humbled, confined to their homes with their businesses suffering.

The poor are not just hungry, but also angry. The One million boys and Awawa gangs ready to take what's left of their survival food. The security situation showed that people can become armed when pushed to the wall. Men, women and children brandishing various weapons just to defend themselves against robbery gangs. What stopped them from turning those weapons on the police and then their oppressors (The political class) and also rich people when they become hungry, with no hope. The longer the economic hardship persist, the more likely we will be to take the 0.018% odds of death ( current death rate). The more severe the economic contraction, the more likely we will be to take the 0.018% odds of death. Will Nigerians start pressuring politicians to let them get back to living after 14 days of hunger and despair.

The government as a matter of necessity must start making plans to reopen the economy as Nigeria cannot afford extensive lockdown like developed countries. At least, their governments are providing their basic needs( American have started receiving 1200 dollars checks). But what of the spread of the virus? Are we saying that jobs, food and money are more important than our health and life. No, certainly not, but given our peculiarities, we must start phase reopening of the economy after the 2 weeks extension.

Coming down to Lagos State, which is the epicenter of the pandemic and the economic nerve center of the country. Locking down the state indefinitely will do it more harm than the virus. Let the State government map out local governments that did not recorded any cases within this extension period and ease the lockdown in those places. There will still be vehicular restrictions to limit long distance travel, but shops within the streets can reopened. Artisans, Plumbers, carpenters, Tailors, barbers, phone repairers and others can go work but only within the Local Government. Major markets, except food markets might still be closed. Mass gathering still outlawed, decentralized and localized test centers put in place. Strict hygienic measures and social distancing will still be in practice. Other small scale businesses will also be opened. This way, people can make money and have more means of survival rather than rely on handouts that are not forthcoming.

The local economy will start functioning. Once more local governments are also declared free of any case, the same thing will replicate there. The measures can be reviewed if any case props up in those areas. We need to get back our people to work, we need to get our factories working again. The suffering is much and any further extension without means of survival for the ordinary people will lead to chaos. People will revolt and defy the lockdown and in turn endanger every citizens.

Ask your governor.

Lol !