The governor of Abia State, Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu has tested positive to the coronavirus pandemic. This was made known in a press release by the state commissioner for Information, Mr. John Okiyi Kalu. The statement reads:
“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 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.”
The state deputy governor, Hon Ude Oko Chukwu has been directed to run the affairs of Abia State until the governor fully recovers. Okezie has initially boasted in the media that coronavirus will never affect Abia State because it is the only state in the Holy Bible.