Niger assembly speaker, clerk contract COVID-19

Abdullahi Bawa, speaker of the Niger state house of assembly, and Abdullahi Kagara, clerk of the house, have contracted COVID-19.

Muhammed Idris, the state commissioner of information, confirmed the development, saying the results of their COVID-19 tests were released on Sunday.

Idris said the speaker and clerk have gone into isolation.

Two weeks ago, Binta Mamman, a member representing Gurara local government and chairperson of the house committee on gender affairs, tested positive for the virus.

As a result of this, members of the assembly were asked to undergo a COVID-19 test.

Idris added that the test results of other lawmakers are still being awaited.

“We are yet to receive other results. But for now, many of us are in self-isolation,” he said.

In November, Abubakar Bello, the state governor, announced that he tested positive for COVID-19.

Owing to the second wave of infections, the state government directed all civil servants to stay at home from Monday, December 21, except those that provide essential services.