Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has sought to reassure the public following concerns about the potential use of the ongoing Ebola outbreak for political gain. In an exclusive interview with Premium Times Nigeria, Adetifa emphasized that such a move would be ‘unethical and unprofessional.’
According to Adetifa, the NCDC is working tirelessly to curtail the spread of the virus, which has already claimed several lives in the country. He acknowledged the gravity of the situation but insisted that the government is committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of its citizens.
‘I want to assure Nigerians that there is no reason to postpone the elections due to the Ebola outbreak,’ Adetifa said. ‘However, we are monitoring the situation closely, and if there is a widespread outbreak that could raise public health concerns, we will take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of voters.’
Adetifa’s comments come as some political analysts have raised concerns about the potential politicization of the Ebola outbreak. Some have suggested that the virus could be used as a means to manipulate public opinion or disrupt the electoral process.
The NCDC DG’s reassurances should provide some relief to concerned Nigerians. However, it is crucial that the government continues to maintain transparency and provide regular updates on the Ebola situation to ensure public trust and confidence.
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