‘It was lapse in judgment’– Makinde apologises over PDP rally amid coronavirus outbreak

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) mega rally, which was held in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday should not have taken place given the coronavirus outbreak. 

Makinde, in a tweet, tendered an apology to residents of the state while taking responsibility for what he described as a “lapse in judgement”.

He said while there is no confirmed case of the disease in the state, there is the need for people to be more proactive.

The governor added that the state had begun setting up a COVID-19 task force.

“I have received your complaints about the rally that was held yesterday, and I feel obligated to state in clear terms that we acted based on the information we had at that time. In retrospect, it should not have happened and I take responsibility for that lapse in judgement,” Makinde wrote.

“On assuming office on May 29, 2019, I swore an oath to serve and protect you, I want to assure you that our administration is doing everything in our power and working with the agencies of the Federal Government, to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of this virus.

“I urge members of the public to not give in to any form of panic. As a people, we can take several measures to beat this virus.”

I have received your complaints about the rally that was held yesterday, and I feel obligated to state in clear terms that we acted based on the information we had at that time. In retrospect, it should not have happened and I take responsibility for that lapse in judgement.

— Seyi Makinde (@seyiamakinde) March 19, 2020