The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Northern state chapters, has cautioned governors against politicising the fight against the novel Coronavirus pandemic in the country.
In a statement signed by its Kaduna State chapter chairman, Mikailu Abubakar, the IPAC called on the governors to allow virologists and other medical experts to pilot the fight against the dreaded disease.
The statement noted that the call was contained in a resolution reached at the end of the council’s online meeting held last Saturday and chaired by the Plateau State chapter chairman, Abubakar Dogara.
Mr Dogara said: “The meeting insisted that government at all levels in the country must allow virologists and other health experts to pilot the fight against the COVID 19 PANDEMIC across the board.
“That political domination in the exercise is dangerous and uncalled for at this moment.”
The council urged respective state governments to get IPAC members in their COVID-19 Task Force committees.
To this end, the statement noted that the council mandated the Borno State chairman of the council, Ali Bukar Dalori, to liaise with the chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, NGF, to ensure that the resolution is implemented.
The council commended the governors over their decision to lock down the region to prevent further spread of the disease, adding that “the remaining states in the region that are yet to effect such actions are holistically advised to do so immediately”.
The council expressed its support to the NGF’s demand for the establishment of testing centers in each of the 19 states of the region, encouraging more awareness campaigns against the virus across the board.
According to the council, palliatives should be provided by the governors to their citizens, irrespective of political affiliation.
“The meeting called on the Governor’s to ensure transparency and prudence in their fight against the virus across their respective states,” the statement added.
“The forum extends her condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari and the family of the late Abba Kyari, the government and good people of Nigeria over the demise of the late COS to the President, and prays that Allah in his Mercy to forgive Abba Kyari and Grant him Aljannah.
“The chairmen commiserate with the government and people of Borno State over the unfortunate fire incident that gulped Gamboru IDP camp,” the statement added.
