Former Bornu state governor, Sheriff denies evading coronavirus test

A former Governor of Borno State, Ali Sheriff, has denied alleged refusal  to submit himself for coronavirus test  after he allegedly had contacts with persons who later died of the disease.

Penpushing reports that, an online(not Penpushing) had earlier published story that the former Governor was one of the contacts being traced by the Borno State Committee on coronavirus in relation to two prominent persons that died after attending his late father’s  burial.

The former Governor, in reaction to the report, said, it was baseless and false, arguing that the news misinformed in saying that the late Shehu of Bama who died of suspected coronavirus, attended his father’s burial.

Penpushing reports that Sheriff two weeks ago buried his father who died in a fire accident in Maiduguri, while the burial was attended by many prominent residents of Borno, including the state’s former governor, Muhammed Goni, who died last week of suspected coronavirus complication.

The former Governor said the deceased monarch was never at the funeral, however, did not deny that  Muhammed  Goni attended the burial few days before he died,, while in a statement Sheriff. said he had never undermined the fight against coronavirus

Penpushing further reports that in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Kolo Adam , the former Governors explained that he had been observing social distancing “even before the order by the federal government.”

“Our attention has been drawn to a false publication trending in Sahara Reporters, making the round baseless report that Former Borno Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, Tricks Health Officials, Flees To Abuja To Avoid COVID-19 Test Despite Close Contact With Dead Victims.

“That Sahara Reporters: gathered that Sheriff had refused to make himself available for COVID-19 test despite meeting two prominent citizens of the state, who died of the virus recently’, the statement reads

“That: A member of the state prevention and response team said the former governor was one of the contacts being traced and linked up with the late former governor, Mohammed Goni, and Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Kyari Elkanemi, who both died of the virus’.

“Therefore, let me unequivocally responded that all the above were falls information prepared with malicious intention full of political gimmicks. The late Shehu of Bama did not have contact with Sheriff for the past one year; and was not present at the burial of Senator Sheriff’s Father; talk less of attending the funeral prayers that can warrant for a meeting between the two.

“There was no place where Sheriff shakes hands with anybody during the burial of his late Father. Not to talk of coming in contact with late Goni during the funeral procession. And the State COVID 19 Committee when contacted refuted such unfortunate report and revealed that it had never invited Sheriff for a test’.

“For the record Sheriff and his family were all tested negative in Abuja, before proceeding to Maiduguri. Since the discovery of the virus in Nigeria Sheriff had never undermined the issue of COVID 19 and confined himself to social distance even before the order by the federal government.

“However, it is unfortunate that naïve minded politicians instead of praying for protection started to make mischief out of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Meanwhile, as we are investigating the source of this unfortunate and malicious report, the general public is hereby advised to ignore such fabricated information by mischief makers.