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Defections: Nigerian Elected Officials Are Lawless, Says Ardo

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Following the unprecedented gale of defection across the country by elected officials, the convener of the League of Northern Democrats (LND), Dr Umar Ardo has declared that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and defectors have thrown the “Rules, laws and constitution to the dogs” in pursuit of self-serving political expediency.

Expressing concern over the brazen persistent breach of provisions of the constitution by elected officers, Dr Ardo said there is no need to conduct elections in future since politicians have no regard for provisions of the constitution.
He stressed that with such contempt for the rule of law, elected officials could simply remain in office indefinitely.
Ardo noted that the deliberate and continuous disregard for the laws guiding democratic ethos and values by elected public officers and other appointees, have totally rendered the democratic process so meaningless.Ardo, who stated these in a statement issued at the weekend, spoke against the backdrop of the gale of defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that the defections were in clear violation of the 1999 Constitution.In the words of Ardo; “Since, it is clear that we have decided to run our democracy without abiding by the provisions of our constitution and the law, then we as well don’t need to conduct any elections anymore.“Conducting elections every four years is itself a provision of our constitution. Let everybody simply do as they please.”He noted that on Friday, May 9, 2025, the three PDP senators on the platform of the PDP from Kebbi State namely; senators—Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abubakar Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South)—alongside members of the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly, met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and announced their defection to the APC.

Ardo said that the event which was marked by a gleeful photo session and a cryptic speech by Ganduje, followed a similar mass defection in Delta State some weeks ago where Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, six federal lawmakers, and 22 state assembly members also crossed over to the APC.Ardo described the defections as “another sad day for the Nigerian state,” and pointedly accused elected public office holders of throwing “rules, laws, and constitution to the dogs” in pursuit of self-serving political expediency.He explained that while party-switching is not uncommon in advanced democracies like the United States and United Kingdom, Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) explicitly addresses defections under Sections 68(1)(g) and 109(1)(g) for federal and state legislators, respectively.Ardo said that the provisions explicitly stated that a legislator must vacate their seat if they switch parties before the end of their term, unless the defection results from a division within their original party or a merger of parties.Citing the Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling in Adegunde Vs Ondo State House of Assembly, Ardo noted that the court clarified that a “division” must affect the national structure of the party, not merely its ward, local government, or state levels.According to Ardo; “There is no division within the ranks and structures of the PDP. The defectors have no legal basis for retaining their seats. Yet, the leadership of the legislative houses—aligned with the APC—refuses to enforce these provisions, prioritizing partisan gains over constitutional duty.He said that the hiccup lies with Section 68(2) and 109(2), which empower legislative leaders to declare defectors’ seats vacant, adding that because the leaderships belong to the party benefiting from the defections, partisan benefits become more convincing than enforcing the constitution they swore to uphold.Ardo noted that this failure has turned Nigeria into a “lawless society,” with leaders compromising the very laws they are entrusted to apply.He specifically labelled the Senate President, Speakers of the House of Representatives, State Assemblies, the APC National Chairman, and President Tinubu as “tyrants and enemies of the state” for encouraging the constitutional violations.In the words of Ardo; “The consequences of this trend are dire. While bandits and terrorists are outlaws, the ultimate results of compromising the law by those entrusted to apply it could create a thousand bandits and terrorists.“The actions of these leaders are more dangerous than armed insurgency, as they undermine the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy and society.“To address the issue, there is the urgent need for a constitutional amendment to strip legislative leadership of the power to declare seats vacant and transfer it to the sponsoring political parties.“This change should also apply to executive officeholders to strengthen party discipline and stabilize Nigeria’s democracy. Parties will retain political initiatives over their members, thereby strengthening our democracy.“Shame on the decamping legislators, shame on the APC National Chairman, shame on the leaderships of the legislative houses, and shame on the president himself who encourages such wanton violations of our constitution,” he declared.

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WHO Urges Action to Eliminate Viral Hepatitis

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments and global health partners to urgently accelerate efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat and reduce liver cancer-related deaths.

The call was made on Monday in a statement to mark World Hepatitis Day, themed “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down.

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, highlighted the urgency of the issue, stating, “Every 30 seconds, someone dies from a hepatitis-related severe liver disease or liver cancer.

“Yet we have the tools to stop hepatitis.”

“Viral hepatitis, types A, B, C, D, and E, are significant causes of acute liver infection.

“Types B, C, and D pose the greatest risk of chronic infection, which can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or cancer.”

Ghebreyesus noted that more than 300 million people worldwide were affected by hepatitis B, C, and D, which together caused more than 1.3 million deaths annually.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently reclassified hepatitis D as carcinogenic to humans, further underscoring the need for urgent intervention.

“Hepatitis D, which only affects people already infected with hepatitis B, carries a two- to six-fold higher risk of liver cancer compared to hepatitis B alone,” he added.

WHO’s incoming Director of Science for Health, Dr. Meg Doherty noted that updated guidelines on testing and diagnosing hepatitis B and D were published in 2024, and that new treatments were emerging.

“Hepatitis C can be cured with oral medication in two to three months, while hepatitis B can be managed effectively with lifelong therapy.

“Treatment options for hepatitis D are evolving,” she said.

However, she warned that the full impact of treatment and prevention would only be realised if countries scaled up and integrated hepatitis services into national health systems, including vaccination, testing, harm reduction, and treatment.

“Encouragingly, WHO reports progress: the number of countries with national hepatitis action plans has more than doubled from 59 in 2021 to 123 in 2025.

“As of 2025, 129 countries are testing pregnant women for hepatitis B, and 147 have introduced the hepatitis B birth dose vaccine, up from 138 in 2022.

“In spite of this progress, major gaps remain.”

According to WHO’s 2024 Global Hepatitis Report, only 13 percent of people with hepatitis B and 36 per cent with hepatitis C had been diagnosed by 2022.

“Treatment rates are even lower, just 3 per cent for hepatitis B and 20 per cent for hepatitis C, well below the 2025 targets of 60 per cent diagnosed and 50 per cent treated.”

Doherty emphasised that only 80 countries had integrated hepatitis services into primary healthcare, 128 into HIV programmes, and just 27 had included hepatitis C services in harm reduction centres.

“Achieving WHO’s 2030 targets could save 2.8 million lives and prevent 9.8 million new infections.

“With declining donor support, countries must prioritise domestic investment, integrated services, better data, affordable medicines, and the elimination of stigma.

“To commemorate World Hepatitis Day, WHO is partnering with Rotary International and the World Hepatitis Alliance to ramp up global and local advocacy.

“This year’s campaign calls for urgent action to address the increasing toll of liver cancer linked to chronic hepatitis and to eliminate barriers such as stigma and funding gaps that hinder prevention and treatment.

“The partnership highlights the essential role of civil society and community leadership, alongside governments, in sustaining momentum and accelerating progress,” she said.

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FRSC begins Nationwide Promotion for 2,000 Personnel

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has commenced a nationwide promotion exercise involving over 2,000 personnel.

A statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Olusegun Ogungbemide on Monday in Abuja said that the exercise was one of the most far-reaching staff promotion exercises in the history of the Corps.

Ogungbemide said that it was another bold and highly transformative move that was setting a new standard for purpose and impact in public service.

He said that the ongoing promotion exercise, which cuts across all sectors of the Corps, would see about 2000 Officers and Marshals being considered for elevation to their next ranks.

This, he said, was ranging from the rank of Chief Route Commander down to Assistant Route Commander and other Marshal cadres.

“This initiative is not just a routine administrative activity.

“It is a statement of intent, a reflection of Corps Marshal’s faith in staff welfare, commitment to professional development, and resolve to achieve institutional excellence.

“Since his appointment as Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed has consistently emphasised the critical role that a motivated and well-recognised workforce plays.”

He said the development would not only restore hope among officers, but also reinforce the culture of reward for diligence, dedication, and integrity.

Ogungbemide said that the ongoing promotion wave was meticulously planned to ensure transparency, inclusiveness, and fairness, with all qualified personnel across the 12 Zonal Commands included in the process.

He said that the development had already sparked excitement and renewed morale within the Corps, with many personnel describing it as a “new dawn” for the FRSC workforce.

“Beyond promotions, the Corps Marshal has rolled out various welfare enhancing policies in recent months.

“This is ranging from improved training and capacity building programmes to better living and working conditions, as well as stronger mechanisms for staff feedback and engagement.

“In addition to the foregoing, he has also introduced other progressive staff welfare initiatives, including improved working conditions, transparent performance assessments, and targeted housing programmes.

“Expectedly, the Corps Marshal has also made it clear that this is only the beginning, ” he said.

Ogungbemide quoted the Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed as reiterating his resolve to build a professional, highly motivated, and people-centered Corps.

This, he said, was capable of delivering world-class road safety management in line with international standards.

“As the promotion process nears completion, expectations are high that this bold reform will usher in a stronger, more professional Corps that is better positioned to tackle road safety challenges across the nation.

“That is why for many within the Corps, this is not just a career boost, it is an affirmation of worth, a revival of professional dignity, and a signal that hard work truly pays under visionary leadership.

“As the FRSC navigates the challenges of modern traffic management in an ever-growing country, one thing is now clear: staff welfare is no longer an afterthought, it is a driving force,” he said.

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Lassa Fever Kills 152 in Nigeria — NCDC

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a total of 152 deaths from Lassa fever in the first 28 weeks of 2025.

This marks a higher case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.7 per cent compared to 17.3 percent within the same period in 2024.

According to the latest situation report released by the NCDC on Monday via its official website, 811 confirmed cases and over 6,520 suspected infections have been recorded so far.

The Public Health agency said that these span 21 states and 105 local government areas, with the highest burden concentrated in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba and Ebonyi states

“We are witnessing a slight decline in the total number of confirmed cases compared to 2024, but the fatality rate has increased,” it said.

It also indicated possible late presentation, poor health-seeking behaviour and limited access to early treatment as contributing factors.

The agency said that in epidemiological week 28 alone, 11 new confirmed cases and one death were recorded, with reported infections from Ondo, Edo, and Benue states.

It said that no healthcare workers were affected during the week.

The NCDC said that individuals aged 21–30 years remained the most affected age group, with a nearly equal male-to-female distribution of cases

In response to the ongoing outbreak, the agency and its partners have intensified interventions in high-burden areas.

“Ten National Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to affected states using a One Health approach.

“Integrate Clinical Trials have commenced in Ondo state to support improved case management.

“Healthcare workers in Bauchi, Ebonyi, and Benue states have received targeted training to strengthen clinical response,” it said.

It said that environmental campaigns and community sensitisation activities were underway, in collaboration with Nigeria Health Watch, WHO, Pro-Health International, IHVN and other key partners.

Meanwhile, the agency has launched its Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) e-learning platform, supported by the Global Fund.

It distributed IPC materials and medical countermeasures such as Ribavirin, PPEs, and disinfectants to states and treatment centres.

Despite intensified efforts, the NCDC said that several persistent challenges remained.

“These include the late presentation of cases, which contributes to the high fatality rate.

“Poor environmental sanitation in affected areas also hinders effective control of the disease.

“Additionally, low awareness levels in vulnerable communities and the high cost of treatment continue to discourage prompt health-seeking behaviour.”

The agency stressed the need for community engagement, early detection and prompt treatment to reduce fatalities as Nigeria battles to curb the spread of the disease.

It appealed to the public to avoid contact with rodents and to seek prompt medical care at designated treatment centres at the first sign of symptoms such as fever, headache or bleeding.

The NCDC urged Nigerians to continuously maintain hygiene, report symptoms early and avoid contact with rodents and their secretions.

“The public is also encouraged to follow NCDC advisories and utilise the toll-free line 6232 for inquiries,” it said.

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted primarily through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rats.

It can also spread from person to person through bodily fluids, contaminated objects or infected medical equipment.

Symptoms include fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, muscle pain, and in severe cases, bleeding from the body openings.

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