Former Emir Sanusi, wives test negative to coronavirus

The former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and his wives have tested negative to coronavirus.

Adam Sanusi, the son of the deposed monarch, disclosed this in a statement, on Sunday.

In the statement, Sanusi urged Nigerians to comply with government’s directives, adding that being infected with coronavirus was not a death sentence.

“We have been inundated with calls asking about the health and safety of my father (Sanusi) especially given the number of visitors he received on arrival in Lagos, and a number of contacts he had who have either tested positive for COVID-19 or were in contact with persons who tested positive.

“As for my father, on March 25, he and all our mothers submitted samples for the COVID-19 test. These samples were taken at home under the supervision of Dr. Alero Roberts, the second Vice Chairman of the Association of Public Health Professionals.

“On March 27, Dr. Roberts conveyed the results and all of them were negative. We hope this information will allay the concerns of all those who are asking,” the statement read in part.

The former royal father had about two weeks ago in a video which went viral on social media asked teaming supporters, who were coming to his residence to identify with him after his dethronement by the Kano State Government to limit their movement in compliance with the directive of health professionals to curb the spread of the viral disease.

In the short video, the former emir appreciated all those who have identified with him at his trying moment from within and outside the country to show solidarity over his deposition.

“We are reminding people that at the moment, there is an epidemic of coronavirus. Health workers from different parts of the world have shown that the only way to reduce the spread of this disease is by limiting movement because you do not know who you might come into contact with who is infected with the deadly virus.

“On the basis of that, we are appealing to people to adhere to these directives by restricting their movements. We know that we are dear to you, we are aware of the prayers people have been offering on our behalf, we know that people are still with us.

“But as required by Sharia, all necessary steps needed to be taken in times of epidemic like this, we should abide by them and we are ready to continue to receive visitors if God help us bring an end to this health emergency,” Sanusi had said.

Daily Trust reports that Emir Sanusi was deposed by the Kano State Government on Monday, March 9 2020, over allegation of insubordination to the state government and was banished to Awe in Nasarawa state before he was eventually freed to relocate to Lagos state.

However, on Saturday, one of the close friends of the former Monarch, who is also the governor of Kaduna state, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, tested positive to the virus, the development which raised apprehensions across the nation about the status of the erstwhile royal father.