Yahaya Bello's refusal to accept coronavirus vaccines not a problem for govt - FG

The federal government has reacted to the decision of Governor Yahaya Bello to reject the COVID-19 vaccines in the country.

Speaking on behalf of the government, the minister of state for health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, said the government won’t force any state to accept COVID-19 vaccines.

Mamora made the comment on Tuesday, March 9 during an interview with The Punch newspaper.

His words:

“We have to weigh all that is involved. We are not going to compel anyone to take the vaccines. We are also conscious of the fact that even as of now, we don’t have enough vaccines.

“So, in essence, if a state through the governor or through any other person in that position says that we don’t want the vaccines in their states, we will not force that.

“Our priority will go to states that are willing and are ready and have even made requests to make the vaccines. Even the Bible says, ‘Ask and it shall be given.' We will give to those states that have requested for it.”

Recall that Governor Bello had declared that he won’t receive the COVID-19 vaccine because he does not need it, adding that he does not have any medical condition that requires him to take the vaccine.

The Kogi state governor further stated that he will not allow the people of Kogi to be used as guinea pigs, noting that people who wish to take the COVID-19 vaccine in the state will be allowed to do so, but his government will not make it mandatory.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has urged all eligible Nigerians to take the COVID-19 vaccine in order to protect themselves from contracting the virus.

The president gave the advice on Saturday, March 6, shortly after he received the first dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, a presidential aide, Garba Shehu disclosed in a statement.