On March 18, 2020, at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) mega rally held in Ibadan, Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, the state governor, said there was no coronavirus in the party.
Twelve days later, he tested positive for the virus that has put most of the world on lockdown.
Addressing the crowd, Makinde had said: “They said we should not do this rally because of coronavirus. It was their leader that said coronavirus is in their party, yes or no?
“Have you used your hand sanitiser? There is no coronavirus in our own party.”
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There was only one confirmed case in the state at that time — the toll is now eight.
The governor would later apologise for holding the rally in the midst of the outbreak, a decision he described as “a lapse in judgement”.
His remorse, however, did not save him from contracting the disease as he announced on Monday that he tested positive for the virus, although there is no proof that he contracted the disease at the rally.
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— Jemilat Nasiru (@Jemeelat) March 30, 2020
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to comment on the governor’s status in relation to his reported mockery of the virus since he announced his results.
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Below are some reactions from Twitter
That Gov Seyi Makinde tested +ve to COVID-19 is a really sorry development.
Thousands of PDP supporters who had contact with him during the rally won't sleep well tonight & for the next few days.
Regardless of how many of them eventually test +ve, this was TOTALLY AVOIDABLE.
Advertisement— 'Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) March 30, 2020
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In this video Seyi Makinde is seen making mockery of coronavirus. He knew it was serious but he never cared. But oh well pic.twitter.com/lPAZFWfK2x
— Kelv (@kelvin__ig) March 30, 2020
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This is Seyi Makinde trivialising the Coronavirus pandemic at a PDP rally some weeks ago.
AdvertisementFew weeks after, he is down with same.
I hope our politicians from both sides will borrow sense and know that we have a crisis in our hands. #TakeResponsibility pic.twitter.com/WU72aVsXCv
— Banqie (@AdeBanqie) March 30, 2020
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