Gubernatorial candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) during the 2019 general elections in Oyo State, Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao, on Wednesday advised Governor Seyi Makinde of the State, to without wasting more time, order all his cabinet members to take Coronavirus test.
Alao in a statement made available to the media in Ibadan, noted that at this moment, it would make sense for Makinde to subject all his cabinet members to COVID-19 screening, including all his aides and all his close associates since he already tested positive for the virus.
The AD gubernatorial candidate while reacting to the result of Makinde’s test, noted that the governor should have taken COVID-19 pandemic seriously by isolating himself when he returned from the Florida Business Forum.
Alao in the statement signed by his Media Aide, Omotayo Iyanda said, “With the Coronavirus positive status of Governor Makinde at the moment, it would, therefore, make sense to subject all the governor’s cabinet members to COVID-19 screening, including all his aides and all his close associates.
“Of a particular note at this point in time is the COVID-19 status of the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you pull through this difficult time. Your healthy life is crucial to the attainment of a greater Oyo State we all crave for. While wishing you a very quick recovery, it is also a season to learn from our mistakes. Governor Makinde should have taken it more seriously earlier, the COVID-19 epidemic by isolating himself when he returned from the Florida Business Forum he attended recently and by abstaining from the last PDP unification rally in the state capital, Mapo, Ibadan. The COVID-19 pandemic should not be politicized at all! It is a serious matter, a matter of life and death, not to be trivialized at all.
“This is an unprecedented time in the history of humanity, which calls for empathy, humility, sober reflection and restriction. The Covid-19 epidemic is having a great negative impact on the health of our loved ones, the businesses we rely upon, the health of the global economy, and the way we live our daily lives for survival. As a state, the Nigerian nation and the world at large are sure seriously under threat.
“There is no better way to handle this situation than to adhere strictly to all the WHO-supported health workers precautionary measures already in circulation, particularly the stay-at-home approach, to curtail the likely uncontrollable spread of the disease as we all engage in sober reflection to reposition the way we lead our lives.
“Yes, governments at all levels in Nigeria, especially my state, Oyo, should acknowledge that this is an emergency situation that needs 100% attention of all the state governors and President Muhammadu Buhari in the provision of health facilities and food supply. This situation should be viewed as if we are at war. President Muhammadu Buhari’s last speech on the epidemic is commendable.
“As we appreciate all the foreign and local donors, including notable Nigerians and companies, who have donated cash and relief materials to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 war, as individuals and corporate organizations, we need to do more for our people as a comprehensive functional social security system is still lacking in our land.
“In the last few weeks, we have seen great kindness, inter-generational support and solidarity and remarkable fortitude. It is during times like these that courage, generosity and resilience make a difference. Our good people of Oyo State, let us strive hard to survive this difficult moment as better days are ahead for us all. ”
Freelanews is the editorial byline of Freelanews.com, used for staff reports, news updates, press releases, and collaborative stories produced by the Freelanews Editorial Team.
