Tinubu: My CSO died of COVID-19 complications but I’m negative

Lateef Raheem, the late chief security officer (CSO) to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had COVID-19, the media office of the former Lagos state governor has said.

But Tinubu and his wife, Remi, have both tested negative to the disease, Tunde Rahman, his spokesman, said in a statement issued on Monday afternoon.

Another aide tested positive and has been isolated while his contacts are now being traced, Rahman added.

Raheem, 51, described as the “most trusted aide” to Tinubu, died in the early hours of Friday after falling ill on Monday.

He was said to have suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes which might have been complicated by his infection with COVID-19.

Samples were taken from his body before his burial on Friday for tests.

As a precaution, samples were also taken from Tinubu, his household and his aides on Saturday for tests.

The results were released to them on Monday.

Below is the full statement from Tinubu’s media office.

Covid-19 is a real and present threat. Those of us who discount it or claim it is a fabrication do a grave and dangerous disservice to the public well-being. Likewise, those who stigmatise people who may have been stricken by the virus also do a disservice by casting blame on the innocent and discouraging people from taking the COVID test. We cannot defeat this health menace through ignorance or by shaming one another. We can only beat it through transparency, knowledge and compassion.  This, we have learned first-hand. 

Following the death of our well-respected and beloved Chief Security Officer, Alhaji Lateef Raheem, NCDC medics took the wise precaution of taking samples from his body for testingto actually determine the cause of death.Today, the test results are back. The samples tested positive for Covid-19.

As a precautionary measure taken soon after the death of Alhaji Raheem, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and all their aides took COVID-19 tests Saturday, April 25. The results of the tests were returned this morning.

Test results for both Asiwaju and Senator Tinubu were negative.

The results of one aide were positive. The rest of the staff was negative. The one staff member has been isolated in accordance with NCDC guidelines. Further contact tracing and COVID-19 tests are being conducted by the NCDC with regard to the relatives and possible contacts of that staff member.

Asiwaju has stressed that openness and transparency must be observed if we are to defeat this disease. There is no house immune to its entry. Contracting the virus should not bring social or moral stigma any more than contracting malaria or a common cold.

We cannot overcome this challenge by acting like it does not exist or by trying to conceal that someone may have it due to social shame. The culture of denial is counterproductive and will do great harm in our current situation.

Asiwaju asks that you not be afraid to be tested if you have any symptoms or if you believe you may have come in contact with someone who has been infected. We must do all we can to contain the spread of the virus and to well treat those of us who have been hit by it.

As you go about your day, we know you must find daily sustenance. Yet, please continue to do all you can to maintain social distance and to take all other public health measures to protect yourself and others. In this way, we all may contribute to halt the spread of this dangerous virus.

Tinubu Media Office,

Tunde Rahman.

April 27, 2020.