Osinbajo goes into self-isolation after coronavirus scare

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has gone into self-isolation as a precaution over the COVID-19 pandemic, TheCable understands.

Abba Kyari, chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, has tested positive for the virus, leading to suggestions that other members of the federal executive council (FEC) should take precaution.

Only one seat separates Kyari and Osinbajo inside the council chambers where FEC meetings are held.

It is still not clear how Kyari contracted the virus, although suspicion is tied to his recent trip to Germany where he went with Sale Mamman, minister of power, to discuss power projects with Siemens.

It is also possible that he caught the virus in Nigeria given the number of high-profile Nigerians who recently returned from the red zones.

However, Osinbajo is not leaving anything to chance as he has decided to self-isolate to avoid spreading the virus in the event that he too might have contracted it.

The vice-president was not in his office on Tuesday.

Laolu Akande, his spokesman, later confirmed that the nation’s number two citizen is in self-isolation.

VP Osinbajo yesterday at the office conducted his meetings via video conferencing, while observing social distancing. Today, he continues his work from the home office, as he is in self-isolation in accordance with NCDC protocols. Photo: Tolani Alli pic.twitter.com/dRYqlTL8cc

— Laolu Akande (@akandeoj) March 24, 2020

Ade Ipaye, the deputy chief of staff who works with the vice-president, is also in isolation, sources told TheCable.

The presidential task force on COVID-19 toured the presidential villa on Tuesday afternoon, starting from the office of Kyari.

President Muhammadu Buhari has tested negative after his sample was taken following Kyari’s positive result.