The governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has tested positive for COVID-19.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, had reported that Abia state recorded 67 new cases on Sunday, 7th June 2020, the highest in the country for the day.
Chief John Okiyi Kalu, Honorable Commssioner for Information, Abia State in a press statement said the second test of the Governor returned positive after the test of 30th May was negative.
Chief Okiyi also disclosed that the Governor has gone into isolation and directed that his deputy, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu acts in his capacity until he’s back.
The statement reads;
“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 the Nigeria Center For Disease Control (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.”
Dr. Ikpeazu is now the 4th Governor in the country to have contracted the virus after the governors of Bauchi, Oyo and Kaduna states.
