He accused some politicians of playing games with the people of the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor stated this on Sunday when he received the Board of Trustees of Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation at the Government House in Lokoja, the state capital.

“Coronavirus is not new, it was not in 2019 that coronavirus was detected. Coronavirus has been in existence for ages,” the governor said, insisting that his position on COVID-19 in Kogi has not changed.

Speaking further, he stated: “I don’t want to believe the language of mutation, coronavirus behaving like a chameleon by changing to white today and black tomorrow.

“Today, what is killing Nigerians is the fear and panic of coronavirus. Very, unfortunately, some leaders and the press are helping to propagate this against our people. This is a crime against humanity.”

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Reacting to the death of the state Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajanah, Governor Bello explained that the state government has been working with the late jurist on his health even before the advent of COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, the global impact of the virus made it impossible for Justice Ajanah to have access to his regular medical checks.

The governor regretted that the ex-Chief Judge was so isolated before his death, lamenting the media reports on him.