COVID-19: Checkout List Of Nigerian Governors That Have Tested Positive For Coronavirus

With more enforced regulations to contain the spread of COVID-19, some governors in Nigeria have not been left out in the massive increase in cases since the country first recorded one in February.

Reports earlier said that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) wrote to all the governors to self-isolate after undergoing test for COVID-19 as a precautionary measure.

AllNews reports that the Africa’s most populous black nation, on May 31st, became the third to record over 10,000 cases of COVID-19 in the continent.

Not only the masses, but the governors have been part of the total of 25,133 cases of the disease, 573 deaths and 9, 402 recoveries. Top personalities in Nigeria, most of whom have publicly declared their status also tested positive for the deadly virus.

However, the top officials who are no strangers to flying out of the country for medical treatment are now to reckon with the health system normally abandoned for the masses, since a travel ban has been placed on flights.

Although, two of the governors are yet to recover from the virus. A former governor of Oyo state Abiola Ajimobi and the chief of staff to president Muhammadu Buhari have died from COVID-19 complications.

Below are the few of 36 governors who have tested positive: 

                                                        Bala Mohammed

The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed who recently claimed that his state’s residents do not believe in the existence of COVID-19, tested positive for the virus on March 24, after he had contact with the son of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, who also tested positive.

Mohammed, who was the state’s index case ordered that all markets throughout Bauchi state be shut down 24 hours after he tested positive for the virus.

After his recovery on April 9, the governor had said that his survival was “a way of godly intervention” as COVID-19 is not a respecter of personality.

Bauchi, the 12th most hit, currently has a total of 500 cases.

                                                             Nasir el-Rufai

On March 28, Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, announced that he tested positive for the virus. “Earlier this week, I submitted a sample for the Covid-19 test, the result came in this evening, and I regret to say that it is positive,” he had said.

After a few weeks, on April 22, to be precise, el-Rufai announced his negative result. The governor who became bearded while in isolation had said “My family not only went through the trauma of potentially losing a member but also the risk of being infected as well. The entire family has been supportive as usual, while my many friends and colleagues from all over the world have sent their prayers and best wishes. Kaduna, being the 9th most-affected state has a total of 714 Cases.

                                                                    Seyi Makinde

Makinde announced on March 31st that he tested positive for Covid-19. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyalist who was asymptomatic was the third Nigerian governor to test positive for the dreaded disease.

He had tweeted “I just received my COVID-19 confirmation test result. It is POSITIVE. I am asymptomatic and will continue to self-isolate.”

Surprisingly, on April 5, the governor took to his Twitter handle to declare that he had recovered from the disease. Until now, his recovery rate remains the fastest among his contemporaries.

Currently, Oyo which is the third most hit state, has a total of 1372 recorded cases, with 688 recoveries and 12 deaths.

                                                              Okezie Ikpeazu

On Thursday, 4th June, the governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu became the 4th Nigerian governor to test positive for COVID-19. He had volunteered his sample for the test on March 30 and June 2nd, but tested negative, according to the state Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu.

”On Thursday, 4th June, 2020, the Governor submitted another sample at NCDC laboratory for confirmation and the result returned positive.”

However, there is yet to be any update on the state of health of Ikpeazu and the state, being the 18th most hit, has a total of 302 cases

                                                            Rotimi Akeredolu

On Tuesday, June 30, Ondo state Governor Rotimi Akeredolu became the 5th governor to contract the virus.

In a Facebook post on the said date, Akeredolu announced that he is asymptomatic and has been self-isolating and supervised home management will be administered by the medical team.

He wrote “Earlier today, I got confirmation of a positive result for Covid-19. I am asymptomatic and not displaying any symptoms. I am currently self-isolating and supervised home management will be administered by the wonderful team at our Infectious Disease Hospital. I ask that we all stay safe and be well.

Ondo currently has a total of 276 recorded cases of COVID-19.

                                                                   Ifeanyi Okowa

On Wednesday, July 1, Delta state governor Ifeanyi became the 6th governor to test positive for COVId-19. AllNews reports that his wife, Edith also tested positive and this is coming barely 24 hours after Ondo state governor Rotimi Akeredoluu disclosed his status. Okowa’s case also comes days after his daughter tested positive for the deadly disease.

In a post on his Facebook page, the governor said: “My wife and I have tested positive for COVID-19. We are well and continuing with our isolation/medication. We thank you all for your continued prayers for us and our daughter.”