Ekanem Iniko
Residents of Akwa Ibom state have reacted to the report of five confirmed cases of Corona Virus in the state, blaming it on what they unanimously termed, allegedly, as unconcerned attitude of the state governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.
Our Correspondents, while interacting with some residents in parts of the state on compliance to the lately ordered sit-at-home directive, quoted respondents as saying that the virus wouldn’t have entered the state should the governor was proactive.
It could be recalled that Governor Udom Emmanuel, had in the wake of confirmed cases of Corona Virus in other states in Nigeria, said that there was no need ordering closure of schools and other institutions in the state despite calls from concerned citizens.
A resident in Uyo, who gave his name as Jeremiah Ekong, while affirming his full compliance to the directive, also suggested to the government to consider making available some palliatives for indigenes of Akwa Ibom state.
He said “As you can see, I am here complying to the government directive. Even though I may have reservations against some aspects of the directive, I am of the view that it came rather late”.
On the reported five confirmed cases of Corona Virus, popularly called Covid-19 in the state, Ekong continued: “When the governor heard that the virus had entered other states, he shouldn’t have waited until Akwa Ibom people were infected before he took action. So the governor should be blamed for it…but while he now rushed to force people to stay at home, he (Gov. Udom) must make available some palliatives to cushion the effects”.
Another respondent, a human right activist, Barr. Titus Udofia, while expressing shock over the five positive cases as reported by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, said: “For now, Akwa Ibom is the only state with highest number of index case at first report.
This is grossly unacceptable. It is a proof of failure on the part of the state governor. He was waiting for Akwa Ibom people to be infected before he takes an action.
“Now, five positive cases have been confirmed. Who knows if it’s more than that. One would not be totally wrong to conclude that Governor Udom Emmanuel has successfully exposed Akwa Ibom people to the dangers of Corona Virus infection”.
Meanwhile, the state government had yet to issue an official statement on the reported Covid-19 positive cases in the state.