Oyo PDP Cautions Oppositions Over Makinde's Test, Charges Buhari To support Oyo Govt Financially To Combat COVID-19

Says Fayose, George, Diri & others negative status clear doubt on PDP Zonal rally......

The Oyo state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned opposition members engaging in petty politics with the COVID-19 test result of the Executive Governor of Oyo state, Engr Seyi Makinde with the intent to gain lost political relevance at this critical time instead of working with the Governor in his effort to impact positively on the lives of the good people of Oyo State and rid Oyo State Of The COVID-19 virus.

The party made this disclosure through it’s state publicity secretary, Engr Akeem Olatunji, while speaking with Journalists in Ibadan on Thursday over what the party described as "an unfortunate situation and political desperation at the expense of the good health and safety of the people"

The PDP spokesman in Oyo state queried why members of opposition particularly the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been silent on calling former Governor Abiola Ajimobi to conform with the exemplary action of  Governor Seyi Makinde to isolate & submit himself to COVID-19 test after been in close contact with a confirmed infected top functionary in Aso Villa during his engagements in Abuja.

Engr Olatunji stressed the need for everyone in the state regardless of political affiliation to shun all forms of political differences and unite against the scourge of the pandemic which threatens the very existence of mankind and more importantly in Oyo state by supporting Oyo State Government's efforts and measures earmarked to combat the spread of the virus as being adequately pursued by His Excellency, Engr Seyi Makinde & The COVID-19 Task Force now led by the former Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital, Prof Temitope Alonge.

While lauding Governor Seyi Makinde for his gallantry, transparency & strong commitment to the fight against COVID-19 in the state even in the face of  scarce resources & lean purse with constant updated information to the state of developments as they unfold & Government's efforts like other world leaders who are genuinely fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oyo State PDP appreciate His Excellency for getting so much done with less noise but visible success associated with some conventional politicians.

“First of all let me say that ordinarily we would not have responded but because we must protect and guard the unsuspecting members of the public from their desperation, that is why we are addressing this issue.

“You see, the call by members of the opposition for governor Makinde to subject his aides to COVID-19 test was deliberate move to play politics with present realities in the state because the governor without their noise is already working tirelessly on that despite his test result, which was why the governor and his taskforce are expediting actions & adequately equipping the First Ever State Set-up COVID-19 testing centres in the state in collaboration with UCH which was recently validated by the Nigerian Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) making testing possible in Ibadan rather having to wait for samples taken to Lagos. 

"Moreover, none of the dignitaries who sat closely with Governor Seyi Makinde like Chief Bode George, Dr Saka Balogun, Chief Ayodele Fayose, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Governor Diri of Bayelsa State and others that attended PDP Zonal rally in Ibadan tested positive to Coronavirus thereby puncturing lies and outright falsehood being peddle by the opposition in the state".

“The Governor, in line with the basic guideline of World Health Organization & NCDC, has directed all persons, including his aides, who might have been in contact with him after the NEC Meeting in Abuja to self-isolate and if they should be symptomatic during isolation will be tested while Oyo citizens are enjoined to maintain social distancing in public places as well as comply fully with all directives by the state government to curb spread of the dreaded virus.

“We urge the APC in Oyo state and other opposition members to desist from politicizing this pandemic that is troubling the entire human race including the so called advanced countries as the virus is not choosy of any political party but let the safety and good health of the people of Oyo State be our joint priority as it always is with Governor Seyi Makinde and The People's Democratic Party

“We expect all patriotic citizens of the state at this critical time to rally round the government and follow every single instruction given by the State Task Force as measures put in place by Governor Seyi Makinde appears to be working perfectly according to plan.

“While there is upsurge in numbers of index cases in states like Lagos, Osun and FCT Abuja, Oyo State under the leadership of governor Makinde has been able to contain the spread to barest minimum as each day goes by while every precautionary measures put in place by the Governor have proven to be well thought-out.

“Total lockdown of the state as some are calling for may not be an option in a state where many people’s means of livelihood is predicated on daily commercial activities and that is the reason for the government advocacy on washing hands regularly, maintaining social distancing, avoid mass gathering and observe the partial lockdown currently in place at the State because total lockdown may result to hunger which might be counterproductive to the primary objective.”

"The recent order by the Federal Government to relax the total lockdown between 10am to 2pm during the day indicates that the egg heads at the Federal level have realized the essence of Governor Seyi Makinde's decision to enforce partial lockdown in Oyo State thereby restoring the pacesetting status of the state".

He added that despite the fact that the governor is still in self isolation and getting all necessary medical attention, he is still working round the clock and constantly getting situation reports from the Prof Alonge led Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force now headed by Prof Alonge.

Engr. Olatunji however urged members of the opposition to shun politics for now and do whatever they can in their capacities to support the government in the fight against COVID-19 in Oyo noting that politics can be picked up later at the appropriate time.

He assured that PDP in Oyo state,as the ruling party will continue to lead the campaign against coronavirus in the state  just as then PDP Federal Government under President Goodluck Jonathan adequately  contain the outbreak of Ebola in Nigeria.

In his closing remark, the Oyo PDP Publicity Secretary, Engr Akeem Olatunji charged President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government to shun party politics but consider the interest of the general citizens by ensuring that all States that are affected by this COVID-19 Pandemic including Oyo State are adequately supported and provide for in the medical aids, policy formulation and palliatives support,noting that the President seems to have shunned his responsibility to the people of Oyo State in his Presidential address on COVID-19.