COVID-19: Speak out on status of Presidential Villa, PDP tasks Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged President Muhammadu Buhari to douse widespread public anxiety by immediately addressing the nation on the status of the Presidential villa, in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PDP’s demand is predicated on the public apprehension of health safety issues in the Presidential Villa following reports that Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, has tested positive to the deadly coronavirus disease.

The party noted that though Buhari was reported to have tested negative to the virus, it is yet imperative that he douses public tension by addressing a distressed nation on the status of the Villa, especially given that other officials, like Abba Kyari, had travelled to high-risk countries in the course of their duties.

According to a press statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said an address on the situation inside the Presidential Villa will further douse public concerns about the status of certain key officials, who have not been visible in the last few days.

The party stressed that Nigerians, no matter how highly placed, should strictly adhere to directives by relevant agencies of government on health safety measures, particularly as they relate to isolation of persons returning from foreign trips.  

The PDP urged the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other relevant agencies to adopt stringent measures to isolate and monitor persons coming into the country as well as track and equally, isolate those who have made contact with infected persons.

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

The party called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and observe all health safety directives, including social distancing, self-isolation, personal hygiene and prompt report for medical assistance in the case of any symptoms.

The PDP expressed optimism that with a concerted effort by all Nigerians, the nation will overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.