The Federal Government has ruled out an immediate ban on conferences and other large public gatherings following Nigeria’s confirmed Ebola case, saying there was no evidence of community transmission.

The patient, who arrived in Nigeria without symptoms and developed illness several days later, was improving, while health authorities monitored 44 contacts identified through investigations at hospitals, domestic settings and other locations she had visited.

The government also directed a reduction in visiting foreign delegations, particularly those arriving from or travelling through affected countries, while intensifying contact tracing, border surveillance and public sensitisation.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, said at a briefing in Abuja on Thursday that the patient’s improving condition did not lessen the need for vigilance. He warned that misinformation, public distrust and non-compliance could undermine containment efforts.

Addressing concerns about restrictions on public activities, Pate said decisions would be guided by scientific evidence and expert advice.

“At this moment, there is no indication that requires us to alter the course of large gatherings that have been planned,” he said.

He said that position could change if new evidence emerged, adding that the immediate task was to contain the confirmed case and prevent transmission beyond those already identified as potentially exposed.

Pate said clinicians had reported encouraging laboratory results, raising hopes of recovery.

“Today, I spoke to the clinicians and I understand that her lab results are showing great improvement and there’s a possibility that she would recover from this,” he said.

He stressed that the improvement did not diminish the need for close monitoring, enforcement of public health measures and sustained preparedness.

Against growing scepticism about the case, Pate said the patient had tested positive on three occasions and warned that dismissing the infection as fabricated could lead people to disregard quarantine or isolation directives.

“The alternative to trusting the experts is a tragedy,” he said, urging Nigerians to rely on credible sources and demand evidence from those circulating unverified claims.

He cited misinformation about polio vaccination as an example of how false narratives could frustrate life-saving interventions and appealed to political leaders not to turn the health emergency into a partisan dispute. “Health has no political party, has no citizenship, has no nationality, has no tribe, no religion. It is a great unifier.”

He urged journalists to report responsibly and avoid amplifying rumours, assuring Nigerians that the government would provide regular updates on established facts, uncertainties and measures being taken to protect the public.

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, has warned against election rigging ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying those involved could face deadly consequences.

Omo-Agege, who is seeking to represent Delta Central Senatorial District under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), made the remarks at a political event in his constituency.

“I want to make the news again. Anybody who rigs the election on that day, we will kill him! If you don’t value your life, come and rig the election,” he said.

“They’re rigging your future. They’re rigging the future of your children. We’re waiting for them. Let them try it. It is rig and die. We’re going to give them aura for aura. There’s no court this time. We’re going to fight.”

Omo-Agege declared his intention to contest for the Delta central senatorial seat in the 2027 elections in May.

He resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a letter dated May 22 and addressed to the chairman of the party’s Orogun ward 2 in Ughelli north LGA of Delta state.

In a statement, the former deputy senate president said his decision followed weeks of consultations with political associates, supporters and stakeholders across the country.

Omo-Agege’s threat comes about a week after President Bola Tinubu directed security agencies to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2027.

Germany manager Jürgen Klopp has stated he favors Barcelona to win Sunday’s El Clásico against Real Madrid.

In his view, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona is clearly the stronger team at this stage. However, Klopp also admitted he has always had a personal preference for Barcelona.

In an interview with German broadcaster DAZN, Klopp confirmed he would not miss the highly anticipated Spanish football clash: “Of course, I will watch El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid. I have watched this match at every stage of my life.”

Klopp also discussed how his views on the rivalry have evolved and why he supports compatriot Hansi Flick’s Barcelona.

Klopp said: “In the past, I supported Barcelona more because I hated how Pepe and other defenders used to just sweep everything away in the backline. That was the only reason I always supported Barcelona. Nowadays, I look at the game from a neutral perspective. I support the stronger team. And as things stand, that team is likely to be Barcelona.”

Barcelona has had a strong start to the season and will host their old rivals at Camp Nou, currently leading Real Madrid by six points. However, Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the season this week against Paris Saint-Germain.