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COVID-19: Governors in self-isolation as ministers undergo test

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  • Airlines suspend local flights
  • Cases now 51

Following the positive COVID-19 result for Chief of Staff to the President Mallam Abba Kyari and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, some of the governors who had contact with them have gone into self-isolation.

No fewer than eight ministers have also been tested to determine their status.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who self-isolated himself has tested negative to the virus. The Presidency on Wednesday confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari tested negative.

Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and his wife, Kafayat, both tested negative, the governor announced yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital.

Both Kyari and Mohammed attended high-level government meetings before the results of their test were received.

Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger) have gone into self-isolation.

Fayemi, who is the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) chairman, said he took Coronavirus test despite not having any of symptoms of the virus.

He however did not say the outcome of the test in the tweet in which he explained that he opted to isolate in order to protect people that may have come in contact with him.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, Fayemi said: “No cause for alarm, I just took this step as a normal precautionary measure.

“In the circumstance we find ourselves today, every citizen must engage in personal hygiene and take actions that can help us overcome this challenge and that is exactly what I have done.

“I had gone in contact with those having suspected cases and I felt I have to do this to help the situation…”

Adviser to Obaseki, Mr Crusoe 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 met Senator Mohammed at the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and National Economic Council (NEC) meetings. He also visited Mr. Kyari.”

He explained that although the governor was 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”.

Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu said Obaseki “avoided meeting with everybody, upon his arrival in Benin City from Abuja and he maintained social distance, before going into self-isolation.

Shaibu added that six persons had been isolated in the state  while samples of five of them had  been taken for test.

In Minna, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sani-Bello, Mrs. Mary Noel Berje, said her boss, decided to “embark on self-isolation considering the fact that as a public figure, he must have had contact with some confirmed contact cases of COVID-19 .

“Considering the fact that I(Sani-Bello)  was in Abuja the whole of last week to participate in the APC meeting with the President, the NGF  meeting, NEC   meeting and the World Bank breakfast meeting, as a way of leading by example, I have placed myself on isolation and waiting to be tested, along with members of my family.”

It was learnt that the governor had directed all his close aides and cabinet members to seclude themselves.

The Disease Control Unit of the Bauchi State Ministry of Health said it had directed   27 persons (mostly aides of Governor   Mohammed)  to self-isolate.

Twenty Osun State judges and 22   officials of Yobe State Government are currently on seclusion after returning from foreign trips.

The Director-General of Nigeria Governors’ Forum Asishana Okauru also went into seclusion having met with Bauchi State Governor Mohammed.

Okauru urged all members of the NGF and the secretariat staff invited to the last meeting of the forum to also self-isolate.

Okauru said that his wife, a former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Omoigui, and other members of his nucleus family, had also gone into self-isolation..

“I wish to inform the general public that my wife, together with my entire household, will be proceeding on self-isolation.

“We are taking this action following my exposure to His Excellency, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State who today (Tuesday) announced the positive outcome of his test for COVID-19.

“I attended different meetings of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Nigerian Economic Council last week, which were also attended by the Bauchi State Governor.

“Consequently, my wife and I would be undergoing COVID-19 testing this week.

“All members of NGF secretariat that were exposed will also be observing self-isolation. We encourage all those who were invited to the NGF meetings for presentations to also do same.

“By our actions, we hope to encourage others who are exposed and not sure of their status to undergo self-isolation and make themselves available for the test, where applicable,” he said.

20 Osun judges, returnee Yobe officials in self-exclusion

Osun State government said yesterday that 22 judges in the state are in isolation after they returned from the United Arab Emirates.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamontu, said the judges returned to the state after  attending  an 11-day  international conference that ended March 20 .

He said: “The judges went into isolation immediately they arrived from the United Arab Emirates last weekend to ascertain their medical status.  They are in self-isolation and we are monitoring them.”

Also, 22 officials of the Yobe State Government that returned from Dubai last week have placed themselves on a 14-day self-isolation

Some of the returnees said they tested negative for the virus on their arrival from the oil-rich Emirate.

One of them said, “We were subjected to all the screening procedures both in  Dubai and at  the  Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport,  Abuja. The good thing is that none of us was positive for  the virus at  the time we were all tested.

“Naturally, the global protocol requires our self-isolation and we have to undergo that before we re-unite with our families and friends. This is exactly what we are doing. We have to do that to disabuse the mind of the people of the state. The truth is that none of us will like to put our families or any citizen of the state in danger.’’

The Acting Head of the state civil service, Mohammed Nura; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic Education and Secondary Education, Yakubu Doskshi and the Special Adviser on  Politics to Governor Mai Mala, Aji Yerima Bularafa,  confirmed that the returnees had gone into self-isolation.

Akeredolu, Sule: we’re not in isolation

Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Abdullahi Sule have denied reports that they were in self-isolation.

They said there was not nothing shameful in self-exclusion and therefore would not avoid it  should the need arose

Akeredolu, who addressed reporters alongside Commissioner of Police Undie Adie said he would not have come out if he were on self-isolation.

The Director of Strategic Communication and Press Affairs to Nasarawa State  governor, Mr Yakubu ,  said, “If indeed Engineer Abdullahi  Sule goes into self -isolation, we shall make a formal statement to that effect.

“There is nothing to hide about COVID 19 in the entire world as also in Nasarawa State“

Lamai urged the public to disregard reports  in some social media platforms insinuating that the governor had gone on self-isolation.

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Araraume Felicitates President Tinubu on his birthday. Hails his Reform Agenda and National Milestones

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Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his birthday, praising the President’s leadership style and the series of reforms that have shaped the direction of the country since he assumed office.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Araraume described President Tinubu as “a courageous reformer whose decisions continue to redefine Nigeria’s economic and governance landscape.” He noted that the President’s first year in office has been marked by bold policy choices aimed at stabilizing the economy and laying the groundwork for long term national development.

Araraume highlighted the removal of the petrol subsidy as one of the most significant economic decisions in recent decades, saying it demonstrated the President’s willingness to confront long‑standing structural challenges. According to him, the policy, though demanding, has redirected national resources toward infrastructure, social investment, and other critical sectors.

He also commended the administration’s unification of the foreign exchange market, describing it as a major step toward restoring investor confidence and strengthening Nigeria’s global competitiveness. The senator noted that the reforms have attracted renewed interest from international partners and signaled a commitment to transparent economic management.

Beyond economic restructuring, Araraume pointed to ongoing infrastructure expansion as evidence of the administration’s focus on national development. He cited the acceleration of key road projects, renewed efforts to expand rail connectivity, and the push to improve power generation and distribution as initiatives that reflect the President’s long term vision for a more productive Nigeria.

The senator further acknowledged the government’s interventions in agriculture, including support for mechanization and targeted programs aimed at boosting food security. He said these efforts are essential to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local production.

On the diplomatic front, Araraume praised President Tinubu’s engagements across Africa and beyond, noting his role in strengthening regional cooperation within ECOWAS and advancing Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.

“As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to recognize the resilience and determination with which President Tinubu has approached the task of nation building,” Araraume said. “His commitment to reforms, economic stability, and democratic governance continues to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s future.”

He wished the President good health, renewed strength, and continued wisdom as he leads the country through what he described as “a defining period in Nigeria’s history.”

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Araraume Salutes Tinubu’s Vision, Lists Key Achievements on Birthday

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Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his birthday, praising his leadership style and the series of reforms that have shaped the country’s direction since he assumed office.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Araraume described the President as “a courageous reformer whose decisions continue to redefine Nigeria’s economic and governance landscape.” He noted that Tinubu’s first year in office has been marked by bold policy choices aimed at stabilizing the economy and laying the groundwork for long-term national development.

Araraume highlighted the removal of the petrol subsidy as one of the most significant economic decisions in recent decades, saying it demonstrated the President’s willingness to confront long-standing structural challenges. According to him, the policy, though demanding, has redirected national resources toward infrastructure, social investment, and other critical sectors.

He also commended the administration’s unification of the foreign exchange market, describing it as a major step toward restoring investor confidence and strengthening Nigeria’s global competitiveness. The senator noted that the reforms have attracted renewed interest from international partners and signaled a commitment to transparent economic management.

Beyond economic restructuring, Araraume pointed to ongoing infrastructure expansion as evidence of the administration’s focus on national development. He cited the acceleration of key road projects, renewed efforts to expand rail connectivity, and the push to improve power generation and distribution as initiatives that reflect the President’s long-term vision for a more productive Nigeria.

The senator further acknowledged the government’s interventions in agriculture, including support for mechanization and targeted programmes aimed at boosting food security. He said these efforts are essential to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local production.

On the diplomatic front, Araraume praised Tinubu’s engagements across Africa and beyond, noting his role in strengthening regional cooperation within ECOWAS and advancing Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.

“As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to recognise the resilience and determination with which President Tinubu has approached the task of nation-building,” Araraume said. “His commitment to reforms, economic stability, and democratic governance continues to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s future.”

He wished the President good health, renewed strength, and continued wisdom as he leads the country through what he described as “a defining period in Nigeria’s history.”

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APC Convention: Party Eyes Consensus for National Leadership Selection

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The All Progressives Congress has confirmed that it plans to adopt a consensus approach for selecting its national leadership during the party’s convention scheduled for March 27–28, 2026, in Abuja.

The Assistant Secretary for Media and Publicity for the APC National Convention 2026, Mary Ikoku, disclosed the plan during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.

On the issue of elective positions during primaries, Ikoku said the party had not yet decided how these would be handled, noting that decisions may vary depending on local political dynamics.

She explained, “APC, for this convention, I am aware and can say that the party is adopting consensus for this convention. As to whether they are adopting consensus for elective positions, I do not have an answer to that because politics is local.

“So, I believe that, at the end of the day, when it comes to the issue of elective positions, the persons who would emerge aren’t often what you would want to make consensus in every space.”

Ikoku also addressed the Electoral Act’s provisions, which require political parties to register members online within a specified timeframe and outline acceptable methods for candidate selection.

She said these requirements posed challenges for some parties but reflected preparedness—or the lack thereof.

“We have an electoral law that defines the models for these elections. Direct primaries and consensus have been allowed, while indirect primaries have been taken out.

“That is the current law of the nation, passed and assented to. Now, why do you think other political parties will have issues with that?” she asked.

“That would be to say there are levels of unpreparedness of these political parties. Any political party that is worth its salt should not wait till election season to start preparing for the run for office and all of these congresses.

“It is something they would have planned ahead of time. So, when you are not proactive as a party, these kinds of situations can challenge you deeply,” she added.

Ahead of the convention, the party began screening aspirants for key positions in its National Working Committee , including National Chairman aspirant Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary hopeful Ajibola Basiru.

Other NWC members seeking to retain their posts include National Youth Leader Dayo Israel, Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Bukar Dalori, National Legal Adviser Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, National Woman Leader Mary Alile Idele, and National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, among others.

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