Nigeria’s seat of power, the Aso Rock has been shut down after Abba Kyari, the powerful chief of staff to president Muhammaadu Buhari tested positive to coronavirus.
Mr. Kyari tested positive after returning from an ‘official’ trip to Germany, alongside the minister for power.
Meanwhile sources at the Aso Rock Villa, say at least three of Kyari’s close aides have also tested positive to the COVID-19.
Since returning from the trip abroad, Kyari has had contacts with some prominent persons including Garba Shehu, a media aide to Buhari, Babagana Kingibe, and Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.
Others are billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote, Governor Bello Masari of Katsina and Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.
The status of these people are yet to be known as at the time of filing this report. It is also yet to be ascertained if they have gone into self-isolation.
But fears of the virus spreading has paralyzed activities at the presidential villa.
President Buhari had in the meantime tested negative, but it does not mean that he cannot test positive in the days ahead, according to knowledgeable medical experts.
Due to the global lock down as a result of the pandemic, Kyari cannot be flown abroad for treatment. t is understood that there are plans to move Kyari to Lagos for urgent and effective treatment.
Lagos, at the moment, has one of the most functional infectious diseases treatment and isolation centers in the country.
A former Managing Director of PPMC Suleiman Achimugu, on Monday became the first Nigerian to die from coronavirus. He had fallen sick also shortly after he returned from a foreign trip.
President Buhari, despite testing negative, has gone into seclusion, refusing to see anybody. He is now running the affairs of the country via telephony, a source told CHECKPOINTCHARLEY.
