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Former Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, says the coronavirus is real in Kogi State.
Recall that the Nigeria Centre for Disease had reported two index cases of the state on Wednesday but was rejected by the state government.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Haruna Audu described the NCDC reports as “fictitious”, insisting that the state is COVID-19 free.
“We have also continued to insist that we will not be a party to any fictitious COVID-19 claims which is why we do not recognise any COVID-19 test conducted by any Kogite outside the boundaries of the state except those initiated by us. Any attempt to force us to announce a case of COVID-19 will be vehemently rejected,” Audu said.
However, in a statement released on Saturday, the former lawmaker said the medical test is real as he knows a patient from Kabba, adding that he cannot be part of those who will play politics with the lives of citizens of the state.
“I want to announce that the COVID-19 case in Kogi is real and authentic and cannot understand why any responsible government will want to deny and invariably kill her citizens,” Senator Melaye said.
“One of the cases is from Kabba and the victim is personally known to me. I cannot be part of those who will play politics with the lives of my people.
“COVID-19 is real but not a death sentence, if handled early enough. Family members of the Kabba victim who got a referral to Abuja from federal medical centre in Lokoja and all those who had contact with him should please surrender themselves for a test so as to curtail the spread.
“Kogi State government must come down from her imaginary high horse and start contact tracing to help curtail the spread. It is illogical to think we will be free with our proximity to affected states.
“God will hear our cry and heal our land. God bless Okun land! God bless Kogi west! God bless Kogi State.”
