COVID-19: Come clean on situation of things at Presidential Villa, PDP, CUPP tell Buhari  

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to break his silence over the situation things at Presidential Villa following recently reported cases of coronavirus at the nation’s seat of power.

Recall that Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, on Tuesday tested positive for the virus with some of his aides also reported to have contracted the virus.

Following the development, Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo had reportedly gone to self-isolation, but later confirmed to have tested negative to the virus.

But Buhari, who tested negative for the virus, has not publicly addressed Nigerians over the issue.

Commenting on this, the opposition party, in statement issued through its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, asked Buhari to address thickening fears surrounding the safety of those at the Villa.

The party also stressed the need for Nigerian leaders to strictly adhere to various health safety measures initiated by concerned agencies, particularly in ensuring self-isolation after returning from foreign trips.

“In this regard, the NCDC should move into the Presidential Villa and immediately track and isolate all those who had made contact with President Buhari’s Chief of Staff, so as to check further spread of COVID-19 in our country,” the party said.

“We call on Nigerians to remain vigilant and observe all health safety directives, including social distances, self-isolation, personal hygiene and prompt report for medical assistance in the case of any symptoms.”

The party called on Nigerians to desist from panicking noting “with a concerted effort by all Nigerians our nation will overcome the COVID-19 pandemic”.

In the same vein, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) in a statement by its spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochiyere, urged the President adequate measures are put in place to contain spread of the pandemic in Nigeria.

The CUPP, however, warned against attempts to politicise outcome of the chief of staff’s test.

The statement read: “This opportunity must neither be misused nor missed as our continued nationhood now hinges strongly on it.

“We call that the best possible hands and all available resources be deployed to ensure the safety of Mallam Abba Kyari.

“He is obviously a resource to the presidency and a trusted confidant of the president, and his wellbeing will keep the president in a good frame of mind to diligently lead our country in these very trying times.

“The containment of the contacts of Kyari, which most likely touches the entire leadership of the country, must be attended to with dispatch and professionalism,” the coalition added.

“It called for the testing of every person who has had cause to visit the presidential villa since Abba Kyari returned to the country from his foreign trip.

“This contact search must be comprehensive and the Inspector-General of Police and the DG SSS must use all safe and possible means to compel obedience to this national security and emergency situation.

“Everyone who still organises any gathering of more than 50 persons under any guise whatsoever should be arrested for threatening national security.”