Adebayo Abdulrahman
The gubernatorial candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the 2019 governorship election in Oyo State, EngrOyedele Hakeem Alao has empathized with the people, and governor of the State, Engr. Seyi Makinde after the governor tested positive for coronavirus.
Akeem Alao disclosed this in a press statement signed by the head of Oyedele Hakeem Alao Media Hub, Omotayo Iyandamade available to OYOINSIGHT.COM titled ‘Covid-19: A season of empathy, humility, sober reflection and restriction’.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you pull through this difficult time. Your healthy life is crucial to the attainment of a greater Oyo State we all crave for. While wishing you a very quick recovery, it is also a season to learn from our mistakes.
“Governor Makinde should have taken more seriously earlier the Covid-19 epidemic by isolating himself when he returned from the Florida Business Forum he attended recently and by abstaining from the last PDP unification rally in the state capital, Mapo, Ibadan.” He wrote.
He stressed further that with the positive status of the Governor at the moment, “it make sense to subject all the governor’s cabinet members to Covid-19 screening, including all his aides and all his close associates”
The AD chieftain then charged the entire people of the State to be alive to the situation because “There is no better way to handle this situation than to adhere strictly to all the WHO-supported health workers precautionary measures already in circulation, particularly the stay-at-home approach, to curtail the likely uncontrollable spread of the disease as we all engage in sober reflection to re-position the way we lead our lives.”
He also called on governments at all levels in Nigeria, especially Oyo state to address the coronavirus pandemic as an emergency situation that needs the total attention of the government through the provision of health facilities and food supply. He added that the situation should be viewed as if “we were at war”.
“During wars, food stockade and provision is very central to avoiding extermination. Our leaders should do more to relieve our people. Policies must be effected now to control prices of commodities and achieve food security for our people to sustain themselves throughout this moment.
“Where there are curfews and outright lockdowns, the political, religious, traditional and business leaders and other philanthropists should come to the aid of our people, particularly in the area of food and other essential needs supply. Social distancing and self isolation can only work for Nigerians if governments provide basic sustenance for the already deprived masses. We pray this period will be over soon.”
He added that efforts are in top gear by him to support people at the grassroots through the Oyo State Covid-19 Endowment Fund Account which has just been released by the state government.
