Last week, Buhari announced the easing of lockdown restrictions from Monday while imposing a night-time curfew from 8pm to 6am and making physical distancing and the wearing of face masks mandatory, the Premium Times reported.

However, according to The Guardian Nigeria, the NMA stated that the easing of the lockdown could see a 100% increase in Covid-19-related deaths, whereas the PSN believes that Buhari made the right call.

Speaking to the publication, NMA president Dr Francis Adedayo Faduyile expressed his fears of a jump in Covid-19 cases during the easing of lockdown regulations. He compared it with the situation in Ghana.

“I have heard people talk about the economic implications of continuing the lockdown.

“Well, I am not an economist but a medical doctor.

“My advice and position are based on evidence. If the lockdown is eased, we may experience a 100% spike in the number of cases, as seen with our neighbours (in) Ghana.

“Ghana recorded over a 100% increase in the number of cases just about seven to 10 days after easing a national lockdown,” Faduyile said.

Faduyile said the NMA is urging the government to use alternative methods rather than easing the lockdown.

“The easing of the lockdown, even in phases, is very premature.

“Instead, the association believes that agencies of state should intensify efforts through mass enlightenment campaigns beyond current attempts to explain the dangers inherent in easing the lockdown prematurely in the face of rising infection rates, and also for the palliatives to reach the needy.

“We appreciate the efforts of state and non-state operators on their efforts so far, but urge them to do more,” Faduyile said.

But PSN president Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa disagreed.

“It is a delicate situation.

“I am a nation builder. I am a mature person who understands how the economy runs. We are caught between a rock and a hard place.

“If we continue with the lockdown, people are already complaining and threatening to cause havoc.

“The government does not have the capacity to continue providing palliatives and security under such a situation,”  Ohuabunwa said.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the country has recorded 2,558 cases of Covid-19, with 400 people discharged and 87 deaths.

African News Agency (ANA)