By Comrade Nnadi Goodluck
The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu has tested positive for COVID-19, making him the fourth Governor to test positive for the dreaded virus after, Bauchi, Oyo and Kaduna State Governors.
This was disclosed on Monday by the commissioner of information in Abia State, John Okiyi Kalu.
The commissioner said that the governor had gone into isolation even before his result returned positive, directing the deputy governor, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu to act on his behalf pending his full resumption of duties.
He said: “Recall that on Saturday, 30th May, 2020, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu volunteered his sample for COVID-19 test and subsequently directed members of the state Executive Council (EXCO) and those of the inter ministerial committee on COVID-19 to submit themselves for the same test. On Tuesday, 2nd June, 2020. The result of Governor Ikpeazu’s test returned negative.”
“On Thursday, 4th June, 2020, the Governor submitted another sample at NCDC laboratory for confirmation and the result returned positive.”
“As a result, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has gone into isolation, as required by relevant NCDC protocols, and he is being managed by a competent team of medical practitioners with a view to nursing him back to good health.”
“Consequent on the above, the Governor has directed his Deputy, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, to act on his behalf pending his full resumption of duties.”
”We wish to urge all Abians to take the fight against COVID-19 serious as the disease is real but not a death sentence. Our state has the resources to manage patients back to good health.”
At the time of filing this report, Nigeria has a total of 12,486 confirmed cases of the virus in the country, 3,959 persons have been discharged with 354 deaths, according to NCDC.