APC shuts national secretariat over coronavirus fears

The All Progressives Party - APC has announced the closure of its national secretariat locate the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, over fears of coronavirus.

Nigeria is currently phased with an increase of cases having recorded its first death today amidst at least 36 coronavirus cases of infections as of March 23.

The National Chairman of the ruling party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole made the announcement on Monday as the COVID-19 outbreak spreads.

Oshiomhole ordered the staff to remain at home, adding that the closure will last for two weeks.

He said: ”This is just a preventive measure the party has taken by closing down the secretariats for about two weeks so we can manage the situation at hand but if it persists, then we will have to extent the holidays because we need to remain alive to be able to serve the country as a whole and members of the party.

“We, as APC leaders, must be seen to obey the federal government’s rules, it is no longer a secret that we are facing a pandemic all over the world and Nigeria has its own share of the coronavirus although, it is not as bad as other countries but clearly the numbers are increasing as it is said, prevention is better than cure.

“We had a conversation among ourselves, we the NWC, and decided to come up with this decision to shutdown because I am not sure how many of you have private cars, some of you use public transport to come to work which at this moment could be dangerous and I don’t think we will want to take any risk so we have decided to close the office,” he said.

He assured staff of the National Secretariats that their salaries would be disbursed to them all even while they are at home.[Daily Trust]