The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, Oyo State chapter, has described the conduct and utterances of the state’s chapter of the APC on the efforts and activities of the Oyo State government to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in the state as inimical to the well-being of the state and amounting to sabotage.
The party, in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Engineer Akeem Olatunji, expressed sadness that at a time that the government of Engineer Seyi Makinde has been doing all it can to contain the Coronavirus from spreading in the state by putting in place adequate measures to inform the public and prevent the disease from spreading, the best the APC could do “is to play politics with human lives by sabotaging all the efforts of the government at preventing the spread of the disease.”
The PDP noted that if the APC had been a responsible political party, it would not have embarked on a desperate mission to derail the Makinde government’s focus on containing the COVID-19, after it irresponsibly flouted the standard procedure on Coronavirus containment on social gathering.
The PDP, which made reference to how APC leaders threw a lavish party in Ibadan, which had in attendance the Speaker of the House of Representatives and APC Leader, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Oyo State APC chairman, Chief Akin Oke and other state executive members; National & State Legislators of APC including Senator Teslim Folari, among many others, wondered how such irresponsible party could turn around to point fingers at Makinde.
The PDP said: “The series of traps allegedly set for this administration by leaders of Oyo State APC are indirectly against the good people of Oyo State, who they are desperate to govern at all costs. The devilish actions of the Oyo State APC to distract the state government from her agenda of making the state free of Coronavirus will continually be defeated, as any reasonable political party has to realize that one can only govern the living. The Governor Makinde-led government will continue to win by putting the interest of the good people of Oyo State as top priority.”
The party noted that some of the efforts of the Makinde administration to contain the disease included the closing down of schools, social and religious gatherings as well as the activation of Emergency Operating Centres and Isolation Centres, saying: “In an effort to combat the spread of the deadly virus, schools have been closed down, mass gatherings in mosque, churches, nightclubs, and other social events have all been banned.”
The statement added: “The Oyo State PDP as a law-abiding political party with the interest of the people in mind has announced the suspension of its ward, local government and state meeting or any form of meetings until further notice. These are the good initiatives a reasonable political party or organization is supposed to emulate rather than playing politics with people’s lives with an example of representatives of a former Commissioner under the immediate past government going to the open market to gather a crowd without any protection. This was at a time when social distancing is seen as a great measure towards guarding against the spread.
“It is to the credit of the Oyo State Government that Isolation Centres at Olodo Maternal and Health Centre, Jericho Chest Hospital, UCH all in Ibadan and LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso have been created while two Diagnostic Centres are to begin operations soon in conjunction with the University College Hospital and subject to the validation of the Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC). It’s also noteworthy and really commendable that the Governor has made adequate provision for emergency kits, protective gears and specially-kitted ambulances for Oyo State Health Workers as part of the sterling measures to protect the state against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Also, the Park Managers are collaborating with the state and local governments to control daily activities of the people at our garages and help promote good hygiene at our various parks.
“The Oyo State Emergency Operation Centre for COVID 19 is already in operation and the lines to call are: 08095394000, 08095863000.
The party further clarified the needless misinformation by the APC on an individual suspected to have been exposed to Coronavirus in Oluyole, Ibadan, noting that the former ruling party was only fishing for avenues to misguide the public.
“The individual referred to by the Oyo State APC in their statement was never neglected, her isolation period ended same day one of his relative lodged a complaint and test could only be carried out after the 14 days of isolation stipulated by WHO. So, only a mischievous person would address someone who is yet to be diagnosed of Coronavirus as being a COVID-19 patient.
“As of today, Oyo State has only one case of COVID-19 and the case has been transferred to the state isolation centre where he is receiving attention. However, if it’s the prayer of APC in Oyo State that measures put in place by the Oyo State Government should fail, that prayer will never be answered, as Oyo State people shall continue to live in good health to glorify God Almighty.”
