Adamawa state Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has denied the allegation by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) that he flouted COVID-19 protocols when he flew through the Port-Harcourt International Airport on Tuesday, July 14.
Recall that earlier today, FAAN issued a statement in which it accused the governor of refusing to allow airport officials to check his temperature or sanitize his hands when himself and his entourage flew through the airport. FAAN also alleged that the team that came to receive the governor and his entourage drove through the barricades up to the terminal building ignoring traffic and Aviation Security instructions.
Reacting to the allegation, the Director-General of Media and Communications in Adamawa, Solomon Kumangar, said the Governor only objected to filling his form, insisting his protocol officer should do that for him
In a chat with The Nation, Kumangar said
“Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and his team subjected themselves to protocol, including temperature check. The only thing the Governor took exception to was filling a form as the airport demanded.”
According to Kumangar, when the form was offered to the governor, he felt that his protocol officer or orderly could very well fill it for him and so he handed it over to them. Kumangar stressed the airport authority was economical with the truth as their only point of difference with the Governor was filling a form, which Fintiri believed should be done by his aide.
Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, had earlier announced that VIPs including state governors will no longer be allowed to come into the airport with their entourage and security details if they are not flying as well. Sirika said this to ensure everyone in the airport complies with the COVID19 guidelines which include social distancing.
Meanwhile, FAAN has shared a photo of Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, observing the COVID19 protocols when he passed through the same airport on Tuesday, July 14. See the photo below
