OKEZIE Ikpeazu, Governor of Abia State has tested positive for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), John Okiyi Kalu, the State Commissioner for Information said.
Kalu disclosed this in a statement issued where he recalled that the Governor had volunteered his sample for COVID-19 test twice during which the results returned first negative and then positive.
“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,” the Commissioner said.
“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.”
He stated that the Governor has since gone on self isolation, adding that he is being managed by a competent team of medical practitioners with a view to nursing him back to good health.
Kalu further stated that the Governor has directed his Deputy, Ude Oko Chukwu, to act on his behalf pending his full resumption of duties.
Ikpeazu has joined other governors such as Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna and, Seyi Makinde of Oyo who all tested positive for COVID-19 and were treated successfully.
