Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi and some of his close aides, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
The Governor, who disclosed this in a statement personally signed by him on Saturday, said he and some of his aides tested positive for the virus after carrying out the coronavirus test.
Umahi further disclosed that, presently, they are not showing any symptoms but have since isolated, in line with protocols laid down by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The Governor directed the Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe, to take over the frontline coordination of the state’s fight against the pandemic to protect Ebonyi people.
Umahi appealed to the people of Ebonyi state to take the NCDC protocols more seriously while stating that he’s working from home and will conduct all meetings virtually.
Governor Umahi has joined a growing list of top public officers who have tested positive for the disease. He is the sixth state governor that would be infected with the novel virus.
Both Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu tested for the coronavirus this week.
Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna; Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, and Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo have all tested positive and recovered from the virus weeks ago.
A former governor, Abiola Ajimobi and Abba Kyari, the late chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, have died due to coronavirus complications.