Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
Abba Kyari, the chief of staff to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has complained in a confidential memo he sent to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila that some House members were refusing to be tested for COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
The letter seemed to indicate that the senators were also refusing to be tested for COVID-19 at Nigerian airports.
“It has been brought to the honorable minister of health recently reported to this office that some members of the House of Representatives are refusing to subject themselves to screening at airports,” Mr. Kyari wrote on March 21, 2020.
“As you know, these airport screenings are primary lines of defense and refusal by any citizen to subject to these tests is a threat to our nation.
“Accordingly, you’re kindly requested to direct all members who return to Nigeria from foreign trips to report themselves to the nearest NCDC test center with immediate effect,” he added.
The end of his letter showed he may have sent the same memo to the President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan.
“As always distinguished President of the Senate, please accept the assurances of my highest regards”.