Chidi Samuel| Abia state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has tested positive for COVID-19.
The state commissioner of information, John Okiyi Kalu, who made the disclosure in a statement on Monday, said the governor had gone into isolation before his result returned positive.
Kalu further stated that Ikpeazu has directed the deputy governor to act on his behalf pending the time he resumes duty.
The commissioner 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. Tthe 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.”
Ikpeazu is the fourth governor to test positive to the highly contagious virus – after, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna.
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