Featured, Politics
By Anayo Ezugwu
AS Coronavirus, (COVID-19) continues to spread across Nigeria, some state governors and ministers, who have come in contact with infected persons have tested negative. Following the reported case of the virus in the presidential villa, Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was among those tested in the villa.
When his result came out on Wednesday, March 25, he tested negative. Realnews gathered that the test was carried out by the Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control, NCDC. Osinbajo reportedly went into isolation after Abba Kyari, chief of staff to the president tested positive.
Osinbajo has had several contacts with Kyari since he returned from Germany on March 14, where he contracted the virus. The Chief of Staff never isolated himself and one of his contacts was the Vice President, who always sits by him during executive council meetings.
It was also gathered that several top echelons in Aso Rock, who may have had contact with Kyari had gone into self-isolation.
Apart from Osinbajo, Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, who also came in contact with Kyari, has tested negative to the Coronavirus. The minister disclosed this to Journalists in Abuja while briefing on measures taken to control the spread of the virus.
Likewise, Ramatu Aliyu, minister of state, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has tested negative to the virus. She disclosed this in a tweet on Thursday. “I’m glad to inform all my family and friends, including the good people of the FCT at large that I have tested *NEGATIVE* to COVID-19. I thank Almighty Allah for good health and his infinite grace in these trying times.
“I want to continue to implore you all to take all possible precautions not just for yourself but also for your loved ones. Please avoid getting panicked. As a nation, we shall come out of this stronger and better.”
At the state level, Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State and his wife have tested negative to the virus. While addressing journalists, he said their decision to subject themselves to test was to lead by example. “Considering the fact that I was in Abuja for the better part of last week, as a way of leading by example, I have also subjected myself to test. My wife, because of her recent travel history, also subjected herself to test. Both came back negative,” he said.
In another development, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has tested negative for coronavirus. Crusoe Osagie, a special adviser to the governor on media and communication strategy, who disclosed this clarified that the result was negative.
“I can confirm that the governor tested negative for coronavirus when he ran the rapid diagnostic test for the virus. However, we are currently awaiting the result of a more conclusive PCR test.” In the meantime, the governor has decided to continue to work in self-isolation and he is asymptomatic,” he said.
Apart from Oyetola and Obaseki, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has tested negative to the coronavirus. The governor announced on Thursday through his twitter handle that the result of the test conducted came out negative. “I just received the above text from the Commissioner for Health regarding my #Covid19 test results. We give all the glory to God. Wish everyone affected speedy recovery.”
Also, there was jubilation in the Ekiti State Government House as it was confirmed that Governor Kayode Fayemi of the state tested negative to the deadly coronavirus. The Governor had earlier twitted that he was going into self-isolation over his contact with Governor Bala Muhammad of Bauchi State and the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, who tested positive to the virus.
Another governor that has tested negative to COVID-19 is Abdullahi Sule, Governor of Nasarawa State. A statement issued by Yakubu Lamai, director-general, strategic communication, and press affairs, said Sule, has gone into self-isolation, as a precautionary measure against exposure to the Coronavirus pandemic.
According to the statement, the Governor had earlier invited a medical team from the NCDC to conduct comprehensive tests on him and the team had taken his samples. While noting that, so far, all the results from the test, showed negative, the statement added that the public will be informed on new developments regarding the health of the governor, as well as other government officials.
Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State and his wife also tested negative after their visit to the United Kingdom. They were part of high profile Nigerians who attended the birthday party of George Oguntade on March 10.
Mrs. Abiodun reacted to inquiries on her status through her spokesperson, Kemi Oyeleye, that her husband and herself upon return from London subjected themselves to coronavirus tests after their arrival. “The party was 15 days ago, but the period of manifestation of the virus is 14 days. When we returned, the party was 15 days ago but the period of manifestation of the virus is 14 days.
“When she returned, both she and her husband were tested and since then she has had no ailment. Even till now none of them has any symptoms of the virus and the result of the test has come out negative. I should tell you this. And from my observation the way she was talking, she is hale and hearty,” she said.
At the same time, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has tested negative for Coronavirus amidst speculations and anxiety over his health status. Daniel Alabrah, acting chief press secretary to the governor, said on Thursday that the test result was obtained from the NCDC accredited laboratory in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo. “The result showed that Diri had no evidence of COVID-19 infection.
“Before the governor opted for the test, he had been inundated with phone calls and messages, following speculations on social media that he may have been infected. This was fuelled by his sitting next to a northeast state governor, who later tested positive for the virus, during the last National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja, on March 19,” he said.
– Mar. 27, 2020 @ 12:35 GMT |
Tags: COVID-19: Governors ministers who tested negative
