The report that the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, may have contracted the Coronavirus has sent jitters among top government officials at both the federal and state levels, including members of the Federal Executive Council, FEC.
Investigation revealed that Kyari’s Coronavirus status may not be unconnected to his recent trip to Germany.
On March 9, 2020, Kyari led a delegation which included the Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman to Germany where he held talks with senior German officials and company representatives of Siemens over a power deal signed with the German energy company.
Also in the delegation was the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Tuggar, from Bauchi State.
Germany is one of the Coronavirus high risk countries, ranking at number five in the global list of most affected countries.
Ironically, Germany is also one of the countries with the least mortality rates, which has been credited to its highly advanced health system.
Latest figures from the World Health Organisation, WHO, indicated that there are over 30,000 Coronavirus cases with 130 deaths recorded in Germany.
After his discussions with the German officials, Kyari returned to Nigeria, and kept busy with official functions.
Apart from his inevitable direct contact with the President, updating him on official memos and other state matters, Kyari, who is seen as the engine room of the presidency, has been actively involved in organising the weekly FEC meeting which held on March 18.
The meeting was chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari with the ministers who are members of the FEC in attendance
Just last Friday, the Chief of Staff met with the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole, and Deputy National Chairman, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, at the State House, where he led them to meet with the President.
Earlier, on March 17, Kyari was in Kogi State to represent the President at the Firdau prayers for the late mother of the Governor of the State, Yahaya Bello.
News report of the event showed the Chief of Staff in close contact and hand shake with Governor Bello and others who attended the event.
Others at the event include Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, and the Senior Special Assistant, Garba Shehu.
Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State and his Niger State counterpart Abubakar Sani Bello, were also in attendance.
Though the news of Kyari testing positive to the Coronavirus broke on Monday night, the State House is yet to officially confirm it.