The heroic, but insensitive gathering of PDP stalwarts who shunned the order on public gathering and social distancing to install the executive committee of their party may have started taking its toll.
At least one local council chairman has died of the Coronavirus while speculations have it that many more high ranking PDP members may have taken ill.
Chairman of Asari Toru Local Government Council, Odiari Princewill died early Thursday morning.
Princewill, a strong ally of Governor Nyesom Wike, who died at around 3.00am Nigerian time was buried by well kitted members of the Rivers Covid 19 team thus proving beyond reasonable doubt that the virus was the cause of death.
Our Correspondent who was at the cemetery had earlier reported that a white Hilux van marked “Rivers State Covid-19 Team” was seen at the scene of the burial.
The late council chairman was buried hurriedly without fanfare at the Port Harcourt Cemetery, and without the presence of movers and shakers in society who should have come to pay their last respect.
Pictures of Princewill’s burial have since gone viral, with some persons questioning why his corpse was not taken to Kalabariland for internment.
The Port Harcourt Telegraph which earlier put a call across to the State Commissioner of Health to ascertain the cause of death without success, has learnt that the father of the late Council Chairman had died earlier.
The burial of the old man, according to what we have heard, was placed on hold following the order banning burials issued by the Rivers State Government.
Two weeks ago, Princewill distributed palliatives to the needy in his local government area. His death is coming barely three weeks after the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Simeon Nwakaudu died.
Up till now, the State authorities are yet to say publicly what could have led to the death of Nwakaudu who was believed to be hale and hearty before he suddenly gave up. It is possible that health officials have stepped up contact tracing efforts.