Coronavirus: Presidency Expresses Displeasure Over Returning Lawmakers Refusing Screening At Airport

Abba Kyari, the Chief of State to President Muhammadu Buhari, has written a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

In the letter dated March 21, 2020, Abba Kayi expressed displeasure over the alleged refusal of some members of the House of Representatives shunning airport screening when they touched down at the airport.

He wants the erring House members to visit the test centre immediately, maintaining that their action was a serious threat to national security.

The authenticity of the letter has not been confirmed, and Abba Kyari did not state the airport where the incident happened or the House members involved.

“It was has been brought to the Honourable Minister of Health recent report to this office that some members of the House of Representatives are refusing to subject themselves to medical screening at airports.

“As you are aware, this airport screening is our primary line of defence and refusal by any citizen to subject to this test is a threat to our nation.

“Accordingly, you are kindly requested to direct all members of the House of Representatives who returned to Nigeria from foreign trips to report themselves to the nearest NCDC test centre with immediate effect.

“As always distinguished President of the Senate, please accept the assurances of my highest regard,”the letter reads.

See some reactions from Nigerians about the letter.

We should #prayforitaly, but please, pray for Nigeria first. We are on the same path that Italy took. Our leaders are refusing to test; our President is clueless & attended Jumaat; Abba Kyari & some religious leaders are even bigger covidiots. Italy has infrastructure, we don't. pic.twitter.com/yRG6x638uG

— Ayò-Bánkólé Akíntújoyè (@AyoBankole) March 23, 2020

Abba Kyari should not be writing to the speaker and senate president instead to the IG of police any senator who refuse to subject themself to medical screening should be ceased and placed under quarantine for 14days. We must get sense by force https://t.co/toZJo0C0QS

— Lugard (@brownchap_) March 23, 2020

Just saw a letter from Abba Kyari to @femigbaja & there are so many issues with it.

The confusing grammar in the 1st sentence.

The fact that members of @nassnigeria think that they are above the laws they make.

And that the letter made no reference to the President. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/eZUnyZh8EF

— PapaDonkee (@ose_anenih) March 23, 2020

Guys, stay away from National Assembly members who just returned from overseas. They have been refusing COVID19 tests. In this letter, Abba Kyari said they are a threat to the nation, urging the Senate President/Speaker to prevail on members test for the virus! pic.twitter.com/a5vSlH5vIB

— Jackson Ude (@jacksonpbn) March 23, 2020

I can't make up my mind whether this letter was for the Speaker of the House of Representatives or for the Senate President.

Or whether this is just trademark Nigerian carelessness in action as usual. pic.twitter.com/KoRIuGbKgb

— Naijaman (@hugo_davy) March 23, 2020

See forget Abba Kyari and the Senate president o!

If your Father, Mother, Uncle, Aunt, Sugar Daddy or Sugar Mummy is a member of the Senate Alaye STAY AWAY FROM THEM O!!!#COVIDー19

— THE WRITING DJ™🇳🇬 (@thewritingDJ) March 23, 2020

Starting a letter with speaker house of representatives and ending same letter with senate President but you'd never see that

That's the level of incompetence in Aso Rock

— ᶜᵃˡˡ ᵐᵉ Ricky ͂ ̐ ̈́ (@Fattsoul) March 23, 2020

Very poorly written piece. Abba Kyari wrote to the Speaker but gave your assurances to the Senate President. These people cannot even write simple letter and Nigeria is paying them salaries 😡 pic.twitter.com/JCfmK2uvWP

— Tope Akinyode (@TopeAkinyode) March 23, 2020

The memo was to speaker (House of rep) but acknowledged senate president to the speaker.. If this memo is direct source.. Then there is problem with people ruling us…

— IKUEYEMI DANIEL (@IkueyemiD) March 23, 2020

Abba Kyari Chief of Staff to Buhari wrote to The Speaker House of Reps over Coronavirus, he then finished the letter by acknowledging the Senate President. This is what we get for voting in dumb skulls.

— Slabosh (@zeezoulee) March 23, 2020

Lets ignore the senate president / speaker house of reps conclusion and confusion for now, if any pther thing in that Abba Kyari letter gives u trouble then you still dunno whats going on in Nigeria😹

— Zaid Maina (@Z_mainah) March 23, 2020

We are being governed by people who knows little or nothing about governance, yet we expect progress. Who confuses the office of the speaker of representative to that of the Senate president? Abba Kyari is no doubt our de facto President.. unfortunately both are incompetent. pic.twitter.com/smvzy7g6aS

— OLU The Great👑 (@Niyi_Olaolu) March 23, 2020