Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi has reiterated that COVID-19 is not their business in the state.
Speaking on a Channels Television programme, Bello declared that he would neither take any vaccine nor compel anyone in the state to take it.
He said if the Federal Government is gracious enough to send the vaccine to the state, the government would accept it and ask anyone willing to take it to come forward.
There has been controversy between the Kogi State Government and federal health authorities over COVID-19 cases in the state.
The government of Bello has consistently declared that the state is COVID-19 free.
As the Federal Government rolled out the AstraZeneca Vaccine Jabs on Friday, Nigerians were encouraged to take the vaccine.
But the Kogi Governor restated that COVID-19 is not the business of the state.
Bello said, “COVID-19 is not our business in Kogi State. We are dealing with more serious issues in Kogi State, not COVID-19. COVID-19 is just the minutest aspect of what we are treating in Kogi State.
“There has been an outbreak of Lassa Fever, Yellow Fever and those were handled without making noise. On the last Yellow Fever outbreak, we vaccinated our people against it, we encouraged them, we educated them and they felt the impact because it ravaged some communities in Kogi State.
“They came up and we vaccinated them. So if the Federal Government is gracious enough to give us COVID-19 vaccines, we are only going to sensitize our people, whoever wishes to come and take should come forward and take the vaccination but I am not going to subject the people of Kogi State to vaccination. I will not make them the guinea pigs.”
Asked if he would join President Muhammadu Buhari to take the vaccine on live TV, he said, “Mr. President is the leader of this country. I respect him so much. All of us respect him so much. We love him and he is leading by example. If he needs to take the vaccine and he takes it, it is a welcome development.”
“As far as I am concerned. I, as a person, don’t need to take a vaccine. Nothing is wrong with me, I am hale, hearty, 100 percent healthy. I can give you my health report anytime you desire it.”
