Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has been confirmed positive for covid-19 by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Sunday. The Governor had reportedly tested negative about a week ago when he and his family submitted their samples for test but another test conducted and returned on Sunday is said to be positive.
According to the NCDC records of Sunday, Abia State recorded a total number of 67 new cases bringing the total cases in Abia to an astronomical 83.
In the meantime, Deputy governor Ude Oko Chukwu is to take charge of governance pending Ikpeazu’s recovery, according to the commissioner for information, John Okiyi Kalu.
He also said in a med statement that the governor has gone into isolation as required and will be managed by experts.
Recall that the death of the State’s Chairman of Task Force on COVID – 19 in the state, Sọlọmọn Ogunji generated some controversies after some members of his family tested positive upon his demise.
Below is the media text:
Press Release
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 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.
Thank you.
Chief John Okiyi Kalu
Honorable Commssioner for Information, Abia State
