The governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has tested positive for coronavirus, the state Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu, announced.
Ikpeazu is the fourth governor to test positive for the disease.
Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Nasir-el Rufai of Kaduna and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State are the other governors.
They have since recovered.
In the announcement which was made on Monday, the commissioner said Ikepeazu had gone into isolation and is undergoing treatment.
He was said to have directed his deputy, Ude Oko Chukwu, to act on his behalf pending his full resumption of duties.
The statement reads: “Recall that on Saturday, 30th May, 2020, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu volunteered his sample for COVID-19 test and subsequently directed members of the state Executive Council (EXCO) and those of the inter ministerial committee on COVID-19 to submit themselves for the same test. On Tuesday, 2nd June, 2020, the result of Governor Ikpeazu’s test returned negative.
“On Thursday, 4th June, 2020, the Governor submitted another sample at NCDC laboratory for confirmation and the result returned positive.
“As a result, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has gone into isolation, as required by relevant NCDC protocols, and he is being managed by a competent team of medical practitioners with a view to nursing him back to good health.
“Consequent on the above, the Governor has directed his Deputy, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, to act on his behalf pending his full resumption of duties.
“We wish to urge all Abians to take the fight against COVID-19 serious as the disease is real but not a death sentence. Our state has the resources to manage patients back to good health.”
