Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has tested positive for coronavirus, making him the fourth governor to test positive for the virus in Nigeria.
The state commissioner of information, John Okiyi Kalu, confirmed the governor status in a statement on Monday after the governor dropped samples twice for the test.
Governor Ikpeazu who went into isolation before his test result came back positive, has directed the deputy governor, Ude Oko Chukwu, to act on his behalf till he resumes duty.
”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,” the statement reads.
KanyiDaily recalls in March, Governor Ikpeazu said coronavirus would not afflict Abia because the state is mentioned in the Bible.
He has now joined a growing list of state governors who have tested positive for the virus. Others include Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, all of whom have recovered from the virus.
Also on Sunday, Abia State recorded the highest daily COVID-19 cases in Nigeria with 67 infections, more than quadruple its initial 16 infections since February.
