Category: PM News

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a residential building in Lagos where more than 100 sacks of empty alcoholic beverage bottles were allegedly stockpiled for suspected use in the production of counterfeit drinks.

The bottles were discovered at a property located at 322B Meiran Road, Agbado Oke-Odo, Lagos, during an operation by the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Directorate.

NAFDAC said the bottles were destroyed to prevent them from being reused in the production of counterfeit alcoholic beverages.

An Assistant Director in the directorate, Kunle Ojo, disclosed the development in a video released by the agency on Friday, explaining that the operation followed credible intelligence about activities at the location.

According to Ojo, the building was situated in a secluded residential area where different materials, including empty alcoholic beverage bottles covered with tarpaulins, were being stored.

The recovered bottles reportedly came in different sizes and included containers bearing labels associated with several alcoholic beverage brands, including Action Bitter and Royal Circle Premium Whiskey.

Ojo said investigators suspected that the bottles were being accumulated for onward distribution to individuals involved in the production of counterfeit alcoholic drinks.

He explained that the suspected practice involved supplying empty branded bottles to counterfeiters for reuse in packaging other products presented as genuine alcoholic beverages.

The discovery has raised concerns about the potential public health risks associated with counterfeit alcohol, which may be packaged in containers bearing the names and labels of established brands, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish genuine products from fake ones.

NAFDAC condemned the use of a residential property for the suspected activity, stressing that the operation was part of its efforts to protect public health and curb the production and distribution of counterfeit products.

The agency urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities in their neighbourhoods to the nearest NAFDAC office, noting that information from residents could help enforcement officers identify and disrupt suspected counterfeiting operations.

Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has vowed that he will sign the death warrants of four kidnappers sentenced to death by the state’s Special Criminal Court, if they fail to appeal within 30 days.

Okpebholo stated this while recounting his administration’s efforts to tackle kidnapping, cultism and other criminal activities at the God’s People Worldwide Prayer Ministry, Ekpoma, on Friday.

The four defendants were sentenced to death by an Edo State Special Criminal Court on Sept. 29, over the abduction of a woman at the vegetable market along Airport Road, Benin.

The governor said insecurity was a major concern when he assumed office but decided to priotise tackling it, after raising the issue with President Bola Tinubu, who urged him to go ahead.

‘When the kidnappers attacked the vegetable market area, I told the commissioner of Police that I wanted them arrested without delay ,’ he said.

The governor said the suspects had been sentenced to death and expressed hope that they would not appeal the judgment.

‘If within 30 days they don’t appeal, I will execute,’ he added.

The governor also said he had consulted prominent traditional rulers across the state before commencing his administration’s campaign against kidnapping and cultism.

Okpebholo said he warned the traditional rulers against intervening on behalf of anyone involved in criminal activities.

‘I told them not to come begging me because I will not listen,’ he said.

The governor recounted incidents he associated with spiritual forces following his administration’s demolition of a building linked to a cult group.

‘A black bird died in my office when I demolished their building. A vulture also died in my bed while I was contesting for governorship,’ he added.

Earlier, the clergyman, Ehijele Umuahia, Founder of God’s People Worldwide Prayer Ministry, urged his church members to vote for Okpebholo and his preferred candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Umuahia, citing Proverbs 29:2, urged the congregation to complement their prayers for the governor with active participation in the electoral process.

He said Christians should not only pray for Okpebholo but also come out en masse to vote for him and his preferred candidates.

The clergyman described the governor as a humble man, whose commitment to the things of God predated his emergence as governor.

‘I have known him for over 15 years, dating back to the days of Chief Tony Anenih, of blessed memory.

‘Whenever Anenih came to visit me, he was one of those, who accompanied him. That was how we came to know each other,’ he said.

Umuahia said Okpebholo had maintained his devotion to God in spite of his demanding schedule before becoming governor.

Police operatives have explained how seven members of a kidnap gang murdered of one of their victims for resisting their attempt to rape her in Kuje area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The kidnappers had also previously collected N16.5 million ransom to free the lady.

The decomposing body of the victim identified as Miss Oluwadamilola Adedayo was later recovered from a forest at Tukuba Community in Kuje Area of the FCT.

The Commander of the Nigeria Police Force Special Tactical Squad (STS), ACP Godfrey Victor, revealed this while parading the seven suspects involved in the kidnapping and murder of Adedayo during a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

He said the arrest of the suspects followed actionable intelligence in collaboration with vigilante operatives, and other security agencies at Rijana community in Kaduna State and Sabo Lugbe community in the FCT.

The commander said the operation followed a report of an abduction at gunpoint in a ‘commando-style operation’ at Plot B184, Adedayo Adeosun Street in Kuchiyako Community in Kuje Area Council.

Victor said Adedayo and three other members of her family, her mother, Mrs Nancy, her 12-year-old brother, King David and their housemaid, Jennifer David were abducted during the attack.

The commander said their mother was released about one hour after the abduction to coordinate ransom payment.

‘The housemaid and the 12-year-old boy were severely assaulted and abandoned unconscious in a forest but later regained consciousness and found their way home.

‘The family subsequently paid a ransom of N16.2 million for the release of their daughter with an additional request for N50 million by the kidnappers,’ he said.

The commander said further investigation revealed that on Sept. 24, the same syndicate abducted Mr John Ali, a businessman at Kuje and collected N3 million alongside recharge cards valued N100,000 before releasing him.

He said operatives of the STS commenced an intelligence led operation that led to the arrest of two members of the syndicate in Rijana Community in Kaduna State following a petition to the I-G on Oct. 15.

According to him, five additional suspects were subsequently arrested at Sabo Lugbe area of Abuja through the joint efforts of operatives of STS, vigilante groups, and other security agencies.

Victor said the decomposing body of Oluwadamilola Adedayo was recovered on Oct. 19, following an operation he led where operatives proceeded to the gang’s camp in Tukuba forest in Kuje Area Council.

He said investigation had revealed that the victim was murdered after resisting an attempt to rape her.

The commander said the remains had been evacuated to a hospital mortuary for preservation and possible autopsy.

He said items recovered from the suspects were one mobile phone, used for negotiation, four Ak-47 riffles, one locally made revolver pistol and 63 rounds of live ammunition.

The Police have confirmed one person dead and three others injured following an alleged attack on the convoy of one Offia-Nwali, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) House of Assembly candidate in Ebonyi State.

The spokesperson for Ebonyi Police Command, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed this on Friday in Abakaliki.

Ukandu said the incident occurred at about 4 p.m. on Thursday at Amaezekwe community in Ezza South Local Government Area of the state.

The PPRO said the command received a distress call reporting a disturbance in the community and immediately dispatched operatives to the scene.

He said upon arrival, the operatives found four individuals with gunshot wounds and a burnt vehicle.

The Ebonyi police spokesperson said one of the victims was confirmed dead at the hospital, while the three others are receiving medical treatment,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the NDC candidate for Ezza South Constituency in the state, Mr Offia-Nwali, said suspected political thugs attacked his motorcade and set his Toyota Hilux vehicle ablaze.

In a statement issued to newsmen in Abakaliki, Offia-Nwali said he and members of his entourage escaped unhurt during the incident.

He expressed sympathy with those affected by the attack and urged youths in the state not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to pursue personal ambitions.

‘No political ambition is worth the life of any young person,’ he said.

The Nigerian Army has commenced the deployment of 600 troops to India for specialised jungle and mountain warfare training aimed at enhancing troops’ combat proficiency in difficult terrains.

Appolonia Anele, Acting Director Army Public Relations said this in a statement on Friday.

According to the statement, the deployment of the troops to India for the training by Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu will also help to strengthen Army’s capacity to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

Appolonia said the first batch of 300 personnel departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday, 22 October 2026, aboard two Indian Air Force aircraft, a C-17 and an Airbus A321.

The Coordinator, Nigerian Military Training Support and Advisory Team, Army Headquarters Department of Army Training, Major General UG Yusuf, who represented the COAS, witnessed the departure of the troops alongside the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria.

‘The training underscores the COAS’s commitment to building a professional, adaptable and combat-ready force capable of confronting terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements operating in forests, mountainous areas and other challenging environments.

‘It also aligns with his Command Philosophy, which prioritises operational effectiveness, realistic training, personnel development and enhanced combat readiness.

The specialised programme is expected to equip personnel with advanced jungle and mountain warfare skills, improve operational manoeuvrability and strengthen their capacity to deny criminal elements safe havens in difficult terrains.

‘It will further reinforce Nigeria-India defence cooperation and the COAS’s determination to sustain a resilient, mission-ready Army capable of defending the nation’s sovereignty and protecting lives and property.

‘Arrangements are also underway to airlift the remaining 300 personnel to India for the training,’ Appolonia said.

A former Principal Stock Verifier at the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Williams Oluwole has bagged a seven-year jail term for issuing a false stock verification certificate that facilitated the payment of ?29.9 million for pharmaceutical products by the federal government.

Oluwole, who was prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) was convicted and jailed on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, by Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

He was arraigned before the court by ICPC on a two-count charge bordering on knowingly furnishing false statements in the discharge of his official duties, J. Okor Odey, the spokesperson for ICPC said in a statement on Thursday.

The convict, who served as Principal Stock Verifier at the Federal Ministry of Health, was accused of issuing a Stock Verification Certificate of Completion in favour of Mubaraq Pharmacy Limited in May 2015, falsely certifying that certain pharmaceutical products had been supplied when the items had yet to arrive in Nigeria.

During the trial, the prosecution established that Oluwole issued Stock Verification Certificate of Completion No. CA 0329, which facilitated the payment of ?29,996,120.00 to Mubaraq Pharmacy Limited for the purported supply of 5,113 Ribavirin injections and 5,681 Globavirin tablets.

The court held that the pharmaceutical products covered by the certificate had not been supplied at the time the convict certified their receipt, thereby creating a false impression that the contractor had fulfilled its contractual obligations and was entitled to payment.

In Count One of Charge No. CR/94/2017, the Commission accused Oluwole of knowingly furnishing a false statement in his capacity as Principal Stock Verifier at the Federal Ministry of Health by issuing the certificate upon which payment was made for the undelivered pharmaceutical products.

The offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 16 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The second count bordered on making a false statement to the then Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute, contrary to Section 25(1)(a) of the same Act.

In prosecuting the case, the ICPC, through its counsel, N. J. Onwuka, Esq., who appeared alongside P. N. Emeka, Esq., presented its case against the defendant, who was represented by Abubakar Adamu, Esq.

Delivering judgment, Justice Halilu found Oluwole guilty and sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment on Count One.

The court also imposed a fine of ?100,000 on Count Two.

The trial judge further directed that the convict to serve his prison sentence at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.

The conviction underscores the criminal consequences of falsifying official records and certification documents in public procurement processes, particularly where such documents, and accountability in the management of public resources.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lamented that exit of skilled medical professionals from the West African to advanced countries is limiting access to essential medical services, thereby increasing the workload on available personnel.

President Tinubu said this on Thursday while urging medical professionals to find solutions to the challenge of medical brain drain which he noted has continued to put considerable pressure on healthcare systems in the subregion.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy said Tinubu raised the challenge on Thursday, shortly after taking the oath as a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians (WACP), at the State House, Abuja.

The President urged the College leadership to use their forthcoming conference to develop practical, sustainable solutions to the persistent challenge of medical brain drain across West Africa.

‘We are more challenged in Africa than anywhere else; you know, and with the outbreak of Ebola now we’re looking for a preventive action that will eliminate all these problems and infections. So, I wish you the best. As I pledge to behave myself, I will continue to do whatever I can do for this honourable profession,’ the President said.

President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to championing comprehensive health sector reforms to make healthcare delivery more accessible, affordable, and efficient for all Nigerians.

He commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammad Ali Pate, for driving the country’s health sector reforms.

‘We as a government are doing everything possible. Please help me congratulate the reform-oriented physician, Ali Pate, who has been doing a very good job.

President Tinubu acknowledged medical professionals’ commitment and outstanding contributions to humanity through medical research, disease prevention, life-saving interventions, and building resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to emerging and existing health challenges.

He thanked the college leadership for considering him worthy of the honour.

The President was conferred with a Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians by the Council of the West African College of Physicians (WACP), in recognition of his contributions and commitment to strengthening health sector reforms and medical development in Nigeria.

According to the College President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr Mamadou Mourtala Ka, the College selects and awards the fellowship to the best-performing President in healthcare delivery across the sub-region.

‘This award is given only to presidents who have made a mark in health care delivery and affected the health of the West African people,’ he said.

West African College of Physicians (WACP),.

Dankyau said the college has awarded the fellowship only eight times in its fifty-year history, first to former President Dawda Jawara of The Gambia, and that only General Ibrahim Babangida received it as former Head of State of Nigeria in 1991.

‘So, this is the second time we are coming back to Nigeria to present to you, Mr President. The Council has noted your significant contributions to health infrastructure, improved access to care and emergency care, and massive investments in primary health care and universal health coverage.

‘At the last count, over $2.2 billion had been invested in that area for the health of the Nigerian people. We’ve also seen significant strides in disease prevention, immunisation and public health preparedness. Just a couple of days back, the health minister had also announced that we are ready and prepared to face Ebola. And so, we were able to reassure our colleagues,’ Dankyau said.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and Special Adviser to the President on Health Matters, Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas.

A building collapse in the Fadeyi area of Lagos has left one person dead, while three others have been rescued alive as emergency responders continue search and rescue operations at the scene.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday at Akinola Street, near Fadeyi Bus Stop, off Ikorodu Road, when a two-storey building under construction collapsed, trapping suspected construction workers beneath the rubble.

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed that the agency received a distress call at 12:10 a.m. and immediately activated its Cobra Response Team from the Onipanu Base.

Oke-Osanyintolu said the team arrived at the scene two minutes later, at 12:12 a.m., and commenced search and rescue operations after discovering that workers might be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

He revealed that responders heard groaning sounds from beneath the debris, indicating that some victims could still be alive.

The agency subsequently deployed an excavator to facilitate rescue efforts while ensuring the safety of both the victims and emergency personnel.

According to him, three adult males had been rescued alive as of 3:33 a.m., while the body of another adult male had been recovered from the wreckage.

Oke-Osanyintolu said the rescued victims received immediate pre-hospital medical attention from LASEMA paramedics and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) before being transferred to a hospital for further treatment.

He added that search and rescue operations remained ongoing to establish whether more people were trapped beneath the debris.

The operation was being coordinated by LASEMA’s Director of Operations, Engineer Akinsanya, and the Head of Cappa Base, Engineer Salami, who were at the scene to supervise the response.

Other agencies involved in the operation included the LASEMA Response Team, LRU paramedics, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASAMBUS and officers of the Nigeria Police Force from Alagbon Division.

Oke-Osanyintolu said the cause of the collapse had yet to be determined, adding that the incident would be investigated by the relevant regulatory authorities.

He conveyed the Lagos State Government’s condolences to the family of the deceased and wished the survivors a speedy recovery.

The Permanent Secretary reiterated the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to enforcing building safety standards, stressing that the government maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards substandard construction.

He said the government would continue to strengthen monitoring and enforcement in collaboration with the Lagos State Building Control Agency to prevent future building collapse incidents.

Nigeria’s push to establish state police has recorded a major breakthrough, with 25 State Houses of Assembly now reported to have backed the proposed constitutional amendment, surpassing the numerical two-thirds threshold required for constitutional alteration.

The development represents a significant milestone in the country’s decades-long debate over decentralising policing, as lawmakers across the federation throw their weight behind the establishment of state-controlled police services.

A compilation of publicly reported legislative approvals as of Friday, October 23, indicates that 25 of Nigeria’s 36 state assemblies have endorsed the proposal, one above the minimum of 24 required under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

The latest count follows the approval of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, by the Gombe State House of Assembly on Thursday.

Gombe lawmakers unanimously supported the amendment after considering the report of a seven-member ad hoc committee established to examine the proposed legislation.

The Speaker, Muhammad Abubakar Luggerewo, said the House endorsed the framework to strengthen security and establish a policing arrangement capable of addressing local security challenges.

The Deputy Speaker, Sadam Bello Sale, who chaired the committee, explained that the proposed legislation contained 26 clauses and had been subjected to legislative scrutiny before its adoption.

Gombe’s approval is particularly significant because an earlier nationwide compilation listed 24 states supporting the amendment but did not include the North-East state.

With Gombe’s separately confirmed resolution, the reported number of approving assemblies rises to 25.

Abia State also approved the proposed amendment on Thursday, following deliberations by members of its House of Assembly.

The Deputy Speaker, Austin Nmeregini, confirmed that lawmakers voted unanimously in favour of establishing state police.

According to him, decentralising policing would allow states to respond more effectively to their peculiar security challenges.

The latest legislative endorsements mean that the states reported to have backed the proposal are Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and Abia.

The states still without a publicly confirmed approval in the compiled tally are Bauchi, Borno, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Ondo and Sokoto.

Several of these states have already commenced legislative consideration of the bill.

In Kaduna, lawmakers unanimously endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment during Thursday’s sitting.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Henry Marah, said establishing state police would strengthen community security, improve the protection of lives and property and create employment opportunities.

He argued that state governments needed greater authority over policing to respond adequately to security threats affecting their communities.

Similarly, the Yobe State House of Assembly adopted a resolution supporting state police.

The Speaker, Chiroma Buba Mashio, said the proposal formed part of wider security reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s response to emerging threats.

Other states, including Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Imo, also endorsed the proposal during the latest round of legislative deliberations.

The approvals follow the National Assembly’s transmission of the Sixth Alteration Bill to the 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16, 2026.

The bill seeks to amend the Constitution to establish a dual policing structure comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services.

Under the proposed arrangement, states would be empowered to establish police organisations to address security challenges within their territories, while the Federal Police Service would continue to perform its constitutionally assigned responsibilities.

The legislation is intended to improve community-level intelligence gathering, accelerate responses to emergencies and strengthen cooperation between federal and state security agencies.

However, the proposed decentralisation has also raised concerns about the possibility of political interference, inadequate funding and the misuse of state police by governors against opponents.

Lawmakers supporting the reform have emphasised the need for safeguards covering accountability, operational independence, human rights and professional standards.

Despite the reported 25-state backing, the constitutional amendment has not yet completed the legislative process.

The National Assembly must still reconcile and formally account for the resolutions returned by the state legislatures.

This is particularly important because some approvals were accompanied by observations or modifications.

In Adamawa, lawmakers adopted 24 of the amendment’s 26 clauses, rejecting two provisions.

Ekiti also approved the bill but transmitted observations concerning aspects of the proposed framework.

The effect of such qualifications on the final constitutional concurrence count will need to be determined during the remaining legislative process.

The National Assembly has not yet publicly certified a final tally of 25 valid concurrences.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has intensified preparations for the implementation of state policing.

The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, chaired by the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, announced on October 20 that it had completed the drafting of the National Policing Bill, 2026, alongside 29 consequential amendment bills.

The documents were submitted to the Federal Ministry of Justice on October 19 for legislative drafting review and validation.

According to the Presidency, the ministry is expected to return the reviewed bills by October 30, after which the working group will consider them before presenting the proposals to Tinubu.

The National Policing Bill is expected to provide detailed provisions on the administration, standards and operations of the proposed federal and state police services.

Even after the constitutional amendment is concluded, individual states will still need to enact laws establishing their respective police services and satisfy the prescribed national requirements before commencing operations.

For now, the reported support of 25 legislatures places the state police proposal beyond the numerical two-thirds benchmark, bringing Nigeria closer to a fundamental restructuring of its policing system.

The next decisive development will be the National Assembly’s formal confirmation of the state resolutions and completion of the remaining constitutional procedures.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to produce financial records explaining the whereabouts of the ?10 billion approved by President Bola Tinubu for Ebola emergency preparedness, dismissing the ruling party’s claim that the money remains untouched.

Atiku’s camp insisted that the APC’s admission raised fresh questions about whether the funds were ever released as directed by the President in June.

In a statement issued on Friday, October 23, Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, accused the APC of avoiding accountability while attacking Atiku over his criticism of Tinubu’s handling of the Ebola emergency.

The response followed Thursday’s statement by APC Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson Dele Alake, who accused Atiku of politicising public health issues and disrespecting the President by linking his first name to Ebola.

Alake had defended the government’s handling of the emergency, disclosing that the ?10 billion approved by Tinubu in June remained untouched because relevant agencies were using other available resources.

However, Atiku’s camp argued that the explanation had created more questions than answers.

‘Was the money released or was it not?’ Shaibu asked.

‘If it was released, where is it held, who controls it, and why has it not been used for the preparedness President Tinubu announced?’

He further questioned why the Presidency announced an immediate release of the funds if the money had not actually been disbursed.

The statement demanded the publication of release documents, account records and expenditure reports relating to the Presidential Task Force on Ebola.

Shaibu insisted that attacking Atiku would not resolve the questions surrounding the emergency allocation.

‘Insulting Atiku Abubakar will not account for one naira,’ he declared.

The controversy began after Atiku questioned the Federal Government’s preparedness following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in Abuja.

In his initial statement, the former vice-president demanded an account of the ?10 billion and questioned how the patient entered Nigeria without the infection being detected immediately.

The APC subsequently responded, accusing him of exploiting a serious public health concern to ridicule the President.

Alake particularly objected to Atiku’s use of the phrase ‘Bola-Ebola’, which the ruling party described as disrespectful.

But Shaibu dismissed the criticism on Friday, accusing the APC of focusing on wordplay instead of explaining the money.

‘The APC only found a rhyme,’ the statement declared.

Shaibu further alleged that Tinubu’s economic policies had caused severe hardship for Nigerians, arguing that the ruling party should address public concerns rather than engage in exchanges over the similarity between the words ‘Bola’ and ‘Ebola’.

The ADC campaign spokesman also revisited questions surrounding the detection of Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola case.

He cited information released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which indicated that the female patient developed symptoms on October 7, sought medical attention at a private health facility on October 11 and received laboratory confirmation on October 20.

Shaibu questioned when the infection was first suspected, when public health officials were notified and when contact tracing commenced.

He also challenged the APC’s claim that Nigeria’s surveillance network had alerted authorities to the infection.

According to him, the government should disclose the specific agency responsible for raising the alert, the date it was issued and the actions taken afterwards.

The statement further noted that the 44 identified contacts were individuals whose health needed protection, rather than evidence to be used in political arguments.

Atiku’s camp also renewed its call for transparency concerning any public health restrictions that could affect political campaigns or voting ahead of the 2027 elections.

It maintained that any proposed restrictions should be publicly disclosed alongside their medical justification.

The APC had earlier rejected suggestions that the Ebola emergency was being used to discourage political participation, describing the allegation as speculative.

Meanwhile, the Presidency’s announcement of June 9 confirms that Tinubu approved the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola and ordered the immediate release of ?10 billion for emergency preparedness.

The fund was intended to strengthen the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and support critical public health response activities.