Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Monday, debunked the spiraling rumour in the social media that his son had visited some public places after returning to the country from Switzerland on March 17.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic made the rebuttal following diverse reactions to his disclosure, Sunday, that one of his sons had tested positive to the dreaded corona virus and had been evacuated to the Gwagwalada General Hospital in the federal Capital Territory, FCT.
In a statement signed by Paul Ibe, his spokesman, the former Vice President said the rebuttal became necessary because of the “false narratives about the itinerary” of his son who is currently being treated for strange viral infection at the hospital.
The statement, titled Coronavirus: Updates on Atiku’s son, particularly debunked the notion that the younger Atiku had visited some night clubs, and attended a Jumat prayer after his return to the country.
Below is the full text of the statement:
For the purpose of putting the records straight and dispelling false narratives about the itinerary of a son of former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, currently undergoing treatment for Corona Virus (COVID-19) infection, I wish to make the following clarifications:
1. The clinical case returned to the country on 17th March via Switzerland from some business engagements in France and Switzerland.
2. He attended a private meeting of six (6) persons same day in Lagos, stayed in his private house for the night and took an Aero 5.20 pm flight to Abuja on the 18th.
3. The case did not travel with his family or any other but travelled alone by Emirates Airline.
4. The case wore face mask as a precautionary measure since his arrival in Nigeria.
5. The case did not show symptoms of infection and voluntarily placed a call to NCDC on arrival in Abuja late on the 18th to inform them he had returned from COVID-19 prone country and desired to be tested.
6. On the 19th, NCDC took his blood sample which result came positive on the 20th. He subsequently went into self-isolation to protect his family within his own house.
7. Meantime his son has since tested negative while his wife’s result is being awaited. The two persons are currently in self-isolation.
8. We urge members of the public to disregard the perfidious information that the case accessed open locations. He was not at Play Lounge nor any other club in Abuja as being mischievously bandied about.
9. The case neither attended the Friday Jumu’a prayers nor any social gathering until his evacuation to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital on the 20th where he is being treated and managed.
10. We thank Nigerians for their prayers and support through this difficult time. Once again, it needs to be restated that the risk and danger of COVID19 is real. Ensure you follow the World Health Organization and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines on how to stay safe.
