PDP unification rally: Seyi Makinde apologises, says govt is alert on Covid-19

– Governor Seyi Makinde says no case of coronavirus in Oyo but all hands are on deck to prevent the outbreak in the state – The governor also apologises for the ‘unification rally’ held in Ibadan on Wednesday amid growing coronavirus scare – Makinde claims that the rally was held based on information at hands, saying ‘it should not have happened’ Following a whirlpool of backlashes that trailed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s ‘unification rally’ in Oyo, Governor Seyi Makinde has apologised to the general public, saying he takes “responsibility for that lapse in judgement.” The southwest region of the PDP had on Wednesday, March 18, held a rally in Ibadan, Oyo state capital at Mapo Hall to welcome a score of defectors including former governor of Osun state Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former deputy governor of Oyo state Taofeek Arapaja. The rally, however, was greeted with criticism as Nigerians questioned why such gathering would be held at the time when the country is being threatened by global pandemic known as a coronavirus. Lagos gas explosion: PDP reacts, commends heroic act of Rev Henrietta who laid her life by saving over 300 students The disease, which has been responsible for the death of over 4,000 people across countries and territories, took a grave turn in Nigeria as nine cases were officially recorded within the space of 24 hours. But in his reaction on Thursday, March 19, Governor Makinde said the rally was held “based on the information we had at that time” and added that in a logical sense, “it should not have happened.” Speaking on the effort of his administration to curb the global pandemic in Oyo, Governor Makinde said the state has no record of the disease. The governor added that all hands are on deck with the efforts of the Oyo Ministry of Health to prevent the virus from entering the state. Makinde also urged all members of the public not to panic and enjoined them to take the preventive routine seriously and maintain social distancing. Meanwhile, it was earlier reported that the federal government has shut down three international airports as part of its strategic measures to curb the spread of coronavirus across the country. The airports are; Mallam Aminu Kano Airport, Kano; Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu; and the Port Harcourt Airport, Rivers. On Wednesday, March 18, the Nigerian Senate urged the government to shut down all international airports except the Lagos and Abuja airports for easier monitoring of the viral disease.