The Presidency has reacted to a report that Sarki Abba,President Muhammadu Buhari’s aide had tested positive for COVID-19, stating that the report was false.
Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity stated in a statement on Wednesday that report published by Sahara Reporters that Abba tested positive for the virus was ” utter falsehood and disgraceful lies.”
Shehu stated that the report was sheer fabrication and brazen effort by the online news medium to mislead the public.
“Upon the directive of doctors and scientists and supervision of Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff, all staff working for and around the President, are routinely and rigorously checked for the virus. The Senior Special Assistant, Social Affairs and Domestic Matters, Sarki Abba, always tested negative,” he said.
“The general public is hereby advised to ignore such stories that are intended to mislead the people and create unnecessary anxiety about the safety of the President.”
“Don’t let yourself to be manipulated by any medium that thrives on yellow journalism and specialises in peddling fake news in the desperate quest for the market and donor money.”