The presidency has explained why presidential aides travel across the nation despite a subsisting ban on interstate travel occasioned by COVID-19.
The clarification came through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu while appearing on Channels Television programme “Sunrise Daily” on Monday.
According to Shehu, people are allowed to move interstate if they can convince security agents at the checkpoints about the reason for their travel.
The presidential aide was reacting to reports that President’s Private Secretary and nephew, Yusuf Sabiu aka Tunde refused to embark on self-isolation after returning to Abuja from a Lagos trip.
“The Presidency has not failed. Don’t forget there is a caveat in that protocol. When travels are necessitated, they are permitted and even in the Villa, hardly do you have a day without somebody coming from their state whether they are governors and they come to do official business.
“Therefore, what is not permitted is frivolous and unwarranted travel. When it is warranted, the people can offer themselves at the checkpoints and once the explanations they give are convincing, they are allowed to proceed. I think this happens all over the country,” Shehu said,
Read Also: Killer herdsmen: Igbo group shuns South-East governors, launches regional security network
“We follow what the NCDC and Ministry of Health prescribe. The difference the Villa makes is that there is an eye on everyone.”