There are confirmed reports that the Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, who tested positive for COVID-19 has recuperated and is set to return to work soon.
Recalls that Governor Ikpeazu tested positive for the coronavirus disease a few weeks ago.
John Okiyi Kalu, Commissioner for Information in the State, had confirmed the Governor’s status in a statement made available to newsmen last Monday.
The Commissioner disclosed that the governor had gone into isolation before his result was confirmed positive, and ordered that the deputy governor would act on his behalf pending the time he resumed duty.
However, sources from the Government House, Umuahia, on Monday afternoon, revealed that Governor Ikpeazu has fully recovered from the infectious disease.
The sources also revealed that the Governor had remained in touch with his Deputy, Ude Oko Chukwu, close aides and Commissioners while undergoing the isolation as required by the NCDC protocol.
One of the sources said in clear terms, “the Governor is constantly in touch with his deputy, commissioners and close aides, and everything is moving well in the state and Abia people are already celebrating his recovery, and awaiting him to return”.
“Thanksgivings service is being planned to hold this coming Sunday for God’s guidance and mercy on the life of the Governor over the COVID-19 disease. The Governor is doing very well. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has fully recovered. It is just that he had to wait for the 14 days isolation period before returning”.
Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to the Abia Governor, Onyebuchi Ememanka, could not be reached on Monday, despite several calls put across to him, to get his responses, and also, further confirm the Governor’s status.
But, earlier, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, had assured the people of the state that he remained stable and in high spirit despite the coronavirus infection.
He gave the assurance, in a press release issued by his spokesman, Onyebuchi Ememanka, in Umuahia, the state capital.
Ikpeazu said that his decision to present himself for a second test was to remove all doubts about his status, after testing negative initially.
He stated, “As your Governor, I have a responsibility to do what is right and keep our people fully updated about my health status”.
The Governor, however, restated his stance that testing positive to the virus is not a death sentence and appealed to the people of the State not to panic but continue to take issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic with seriousness and take all necessary precautions in line with the protocols enunciated by the NCDC.
