The former vice President and the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), in the last presidential election, His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has raised alarm over possible wide spread of the dread disease, coronavirus in Nigeria.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who expressed this fear on Thursday on his twitter handle had earlier last week advised the Federal Government to temporarily suspend flights to and from from the affected countries.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who further said that our borders should be opened to the citizens of Nigeria added that “the ravages of this scourge, which has officially been classified as global pandemic, must not be allowed to test our already fragile Economy”.
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The full opinion of Atiku Abubakar on coronavirus as expressed on his official twitter handle are culled below in part:
” Two weeks ago, when #Nigeria recorded its index case of the #coronavirus, I had cause to urge the Federal Government to restrict flights from nations with a high prevalence of the Coronavirus plague. This is in line with global best practices.
This is a patriotic call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to take every reasonable step to protect the citizens of Nigeria, by temporarily suspending flights to and from such countries, until we build up our ability to contain the coronavirus.
Our borders should, however, be open to Nigerian citizens, regardless of their status
Despite the commendable efforts of our patriotic health officials, it will be recalled that to date, we are yet to identify and or locate multiple passengers who flew in with the index case from Italy. They could be anywhere.
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We must, therefore, err on the side of caution. We cannot afford to broaden the possibility of future infections.
The economic impact of a widespread infestation of the virus in Nigeria will be catastrophic and will affect our national security, and status as Africa’s leading economy.
The ravages of this scourge, which has officially been classified as a global pandemic, must not be allowed to test our already fragile economy.
I urge that every political & any other differences be put aside. On my part, I am first a Nigerian, & I am willing & ready to work with anybody, at anytime, at whatever cost, to ensure the safety of this country, which is the only country we have to call our home, & her peoples.
We must act now. We must put Nigeria and her citizens first. We must ensure that our national policy is deliberately tailored to protect our most excellent national resource, the great Nigerian people.
May God bless Nigeria. -AA “
