United States President, Donald Trump has ordered the reopening of religious centres, and threatened to override governors who refuse to reopen them this weekend.
Trump gave the order on Friday at the White House, when he lamented “injustice” that some state leaders have allowed “liquor stores and abortion clinics” to stay open amid the Covid-19 pandemic while closing houses of worship.
The president identified houses of worship, churches, synagogues and mosques as essential places that provide essential services.
“Today I am identifying houses of worship; churches, synagogues and mosques as essential places that provide essential services. Some governors have deemed the liquor stores, abortion clinics as essential but have left out churches and other houses of worships, it is not right.
“I’m correcting this injustice, calling the house of worship essential. I’m calling upon our governors to allow our churches and places of worship to open right now. If there is any question they have to call me and they are not going to be successful in that call,” Mr Trump declared.
He tied his argument for reopening around an alleged American demand to return to churches, adding that “these are places that hold our society together and keep our people united.
“The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now. For this weekend. If they don’t do it, I will override the governors. In America, we need more prayer, not less,” he said as he claimed that worship centers leaders will ensure the safety of their members.
Contrasting reactions.
While many worshippers have taken to the social media to praise Mr Trump’s directive to the state governors, others have condemned his decision as a killer move and a mere plot to win more voters in his reelection bid.
This is coming barely three days after China accused President Donald Trump of using “witchcraft” to lead fight against coronavirus in the United States.
Nollywood actress Peggy Ovire has confirmed that her marriage to actor Frederick Leonard has officially…
Nigerian music star Burna Boy will join a lineup of international artists for the first-ever…
Asiya El-Rufai, one of the wives of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, has alleged…
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrestey of a journalist Zainab Sodiq after she…
Former Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), Ahmed Dikko, has pleaded not…
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has claimed that President…