COVID-19: Buhari Under Close Observation, Cancels Katsina Trip

Following reports of the coronavirus (COVID-19) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari has been placed under close observation.

Reports had emerged last week that top aides of the president which includes the Permanent Secretary in the State House, Tijani Umar; the President’s aide-de-camp (ADC), Yusuf Dodo; his chief security officer (CSO), Aliyu Musa, and his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu had tested positive for COVID-19 and were in isolation.

It was gathered that activities at the Aso Rock Villa have been shut down following the outbreak of COVID-19.

According to sources, the spread of COVID-19 infections at the Aso Villa can be traced to the installation ceremony of Yusuf Buhari, President Buhari’s son, as a district head (Talban Daura) in Katsina.

One source revealed that most of those that have tested positive for the virus are too close to Buhari, hence the need to monitor the president’s health.

“Aso Rock has now been deserted over the number of President Buhari’s aides that have contracted COVID-19. Currently, President Buhari is being monitored by health officials. Plans for the President to go to Katsina have been stepped down for now.

“The recent spread of the virus at the Aso Rock was traced to his son, Yusuf’s coronation ceremony in Katsina,” another source told SaharaReporters.

Recall that those in attendance at Yusuf’s coronation on December 18, included Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, his Kano State counterpart, Abdullahi Ganduje, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, were equally in attendance.

Also in attendance were the Emir of Bichi in Kano State, Nasiru Ado Bayero; former Governor of Borno, Ali Modu Sheriff and members of the Katsina State House of Assembly.

Buhari and his wife, Aisha could not attend as they were in Turkey attending the third Turkey-African Partnership Summit at the time.

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