From Segun Amure, (The New Diplomat’s Abuja Bureau)
The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) has urged Kogi State, Governor Yahaya Bello to prioritize the lives of Kogi residents above his alleged carefree attitudes to Covid-19 prevention and treatment in the country as he continues to pooh-pooh the deadly virus.
It is on record that the Governor is one of the prominent sceptics of the Coronavirus pandemic in the country as he had in the past stopped Covid-19 testing in Kogi state, sparking controversy with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
However, Governor Bello took his claims on the virus a step further on 20 January, while addressing a crowd of supporters when he stated that the Covid-19 vaccines manufactured to inoculate people against the virus are meant to kill. He made the claim as Nigeria prepares to take delivery of its first consignment of the vaccines in February.
“Vaccines are being produced in less than one year of COVID-19. There is no vaccine yet for HIV, malaria, cancer, headache and for several other diseases that are killing us.
“They want to use the (COVID-19) vaccines to introduce the disease that will kill you and us. God forbid,” the Governor said.
Bello added further that, “We should draw our minds back to what happened in Kano during the Pfizer polio vaccines that crippled and killed our children. We have learned our lessons.
“If they say they are taking the vaccines in the public, allow them to take their vaccines. Don’t say I said you should not take it but if you want to take it, open your eyes before you take the vaccines,” Bello said in a comment that has drawn widespread condemnation in the country and beyond.
Responding to Bello’s claims, the NGF through its Chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, in a communiqué at the end of its virtual meeting said, “On the ill-fated pronouncement made by a member of the forum regarding the Covid-19 vaccine in a national daily, the forum totally and categorically dissociated itself from the statement.”
The NGF said it “will continue to be informed and guided by science and will ensure that every decision it takes retains public and professional trust and is not compromised by conflicts of interest.”
Moreover, the Forum noted that leaders have a duty to protect citizens, so it (NGF) owes no one any apology over its decision to work with other agencies towards finding a solution to the pandemic.
Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC) Mandate Defender, Ifeanyi Emeka, while responding to Gov. Yahaya Bello’s claim said, “Our attention has been drawn to the trending video in which Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State was seen telling his supporters not to accept the COVID-19 vaccines which the Federal Government has concluded arrangements to acquire and get Nigerians inoculated.“
He further added that, “Governor Bello has the right to reject the vaccine but extending such beyond his boundary will not be allowed or tolerated as the scourge of the virus increases across the country
“However, discouraging Nigerians not to accept the “COVID-19 vaccines in the face of the ongoing biological war is tantamount to incitement to commit war crime.”
“Besides, no vaccine would be administered on any Nigerian without passing through NAFDAC re-validation.” The group further explained that there were different types of vaccines approved for emergency use by the World Health Organisation as well as the various regulatory bodies across the globe,” he said.
The APC group added: “Therefore, alleging that President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government wants to introduce vaccines to kill Nigerians in his unfortunate video is the height of desecration and disrespect for the Office of the President of the country.
“Therefore, we call on Nigerians to continue to ignore Gov. Yahaya Bello and rally round President Muhammadu Buhari as he strives to fulfill his campaign promises to the people because inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist.”
