Edo Assembly Speaker tests positive to Coronavirus, as Obaseki’s fate hangs

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

The Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Frank Okiye, has tested positive for the Coronavirus pandemic, making him the first person that have been tested positive in the State.
It happened barely tow hours after the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, went into self-isolation, following his close contact with the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Muhammed and Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.
The State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu disclosed this during a Media briefing on the index case of the disease on Wednesday in Benin City.
He said Okiye retired to the isolation centre he prepared by himself at his residence immediately he arrived the State from the United Kingdom at the the Weekend.
The deputy governor said the Speaker sent his blood sample for testing while his Mr Frank Okiye’s wife and daughter who had personal contact with him however tested negative.
He stated that the State government has recorded total 111 persons, representing 64 percent, have been identified for contact tracing for Covid-19 across the State.
Shaibu revealed that out of the six persons that were quarantined, five of them have sent their blood samples for testing at the laboratory.
While reminding residents of the State to maintain social distancing and other health tips aimed at putting Covid-19 at bay, the deputy, stressed that the State government has procured four drums of hand sanitizers which would be delivers to all traditional rulers, religious leaders and heads of Local Government Areas free of charge while different types of traditional means of Communications have been activated to prevent further spread of the Coronavirus in the State.
According to him, the ban on gathering of more 20 persons is still in force while markets in the State remain closed except those dealing on medicine and foodstuffs.
He said the restriction order by the State government is for public Safety.
Meanwhile, The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has gone into self-isolation, following his close contact with the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Muhammed and Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.
Kyari and Mohammed have both tested positive for coronavirus, sending jitters into the spines of their close aides, friends and associates.
In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, said the governor has sent his samples for testing.
Osagie said, “The governor has gone into self-isolation after the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed and Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, tested positive for coronavirus.
“The governor had met Senator Mohammed at the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and National Economic Council (NEC) meetings. He also visited Mr. Kyari.”
He said although the governor is not showing any symptoms of the virus, he has taken the necessary precaution to self-isolate to protect people that may otherwise come in contact with him.