Nigeria, July 7 -- The Nigerian government has cautioned authorities and health officials in Kogi and Cross River States against "playing politics" with the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that such is capable of thwarting the national response against the contagion.

"There should be no politics in responding to a disease that is as infectious as COVID-19," Health Minister Osagie Ehanire said during Monday's Presidential Task Force (PTF) press briefing.

"We want to remove this disease from the realm of politics and religion," he noted.

The COVID-19 situation in both states has been enmeshed in controversies, accusations, and counter-accusations between the governments and federal health authorities.

The governments have continued to claim t...