The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organisation, citing the global health body’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and failure to implement necessary reforms, the White House announced on Thursday.

In a statement shared by the White House, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of State said the withdrawal was due to “the organisation’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would “be coordinating with WHO solely in a limited fashion to effectuate withdrawal.”

The process began on January 20, 2025, when President Donald Trump announced the plan to leave the WHO.

Over the year, the U.S. stopped funding the organisation, withdrew personnel, and redirected activities previously conducted with the WHO to direct engagements with other countries and organisations.

The White House criticised the WHO for delaying the declaration of a global public health emergency and pandemic in the early stages of COVID-19, “costing the world critical weeks as the virus spread.”

It said WHO leadership had “echoed and praised China’s response despite evidence of early underreporting, suppression of information and delays in confirming human-to-human transmission.”

The statement added that the organisation also downplayed asymptomatic transmission risks and failed to promptly acknowledge airborne spread.

WHO was also faulted for failing to implement reforms after the pandemic.

“Its report evaluating the possible origins of COVID-19 rejected the possibility that scientists created the virus, even though China refused to provide genetic sequences from individuals infected early in the pandemic and information on the Wuhan laboratories’ activities and biosafety conditions,” the statement said.

PUNCH Healthwise reported that WHO said the U.S. has not paid membership fees for 2024 and 2025, totalling roughly $260 million. The organisation said member states would discuss the U.S. departure during its executive board meeting in February, but had no means to prevent the exit.

WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, expressed regret, saying, “I hope that the US will reconsider its decision and rejoin WHO. Withdrawal is a loss for the US and also a loss for the rest of the world… It was not about money but about cooperation and solidarity.”

The White House said the U.S. will continue its global health leadership through engagements with other countries, private sector actors, non-governmental organisations, and faith-based groups, prioritising emergency response, biosecurity coordination, and health innovation both at home and abroad.

Malam Auwal, the father of Umar Auwal, who was accused of killing a mother and her six children, has said he should be killed without trial.

He said his son had earlier killed his sister and plucked out her eyes, apart from the other two housewives he also murdered.

Auwal, who spoke in an interview on a radio station, said: “What he committed against my younger sister and her six children, my wife’s younger sister, and her co-wife is condemnable.

“I distance myself from him.

“I don’t even want them to waste time on prosecution.

“Umar and his likes are supposed to be eliminated.

“They are not supposed to be remanded and fed with taxpayers’ money.”

Auwal, who commended the police for their handling of the case, said neither he nor his wife would attend court proceedings during the trial.

Umar was accused of murdering his aunt, Fatima Abubakar, 35, and her six children in their residence at Dorayi Gidan Kwari, Kano, Kano State.

The names and ages of the children were given as Maimuna (17), Aisha (16), Bashir (13), Abubakar (10), Faruk (7), and Abdussalam (one-and-a-half years old).

The Kano State Police Command said the suspect had confessed to the killings as well as those of two housewives in the Tudun Yola area of the state.

A determined bid to force Omooba Abimbola Onabanjo out of the ongoing Awujale succession process has stalled in Ogun State, as the prince has refused all pressure to step down despite tactics that insiders describe as intimidation, institutional threats, and cultural blackmail.

Palace and civic sources disclosed that the pressure campaign began after kingmakers from the Fusengbuwa ruling house refused to nominate an aspirant believed to be the preferred choice of powerful political figures in the state. The refusal reportedly disrupted the political plans and triggered a coordinated attempt to push Onabanjo out of the race.

Selection Process Suspended after Kingmakers Reject Unworthy Candidate

The selection process was later suspended, a move insiders say was connected to the failed attempt to impose the preferred aspirant. According to those familiar with the matter, the kingmakers insisted that they would not nominate strangers, unworthy persons, or candidates who do not possess the cultural legitimacy required for the ancient throne.

Kingmakers Face Threats Over Ijebu Development Projects

In a dramatic twist, palace sources alleged that the kingmakers were told that if they failed to nominate the candidate preferred by the political class, there would be no Ijebu State and the long-awaited Ijebu Dry Port project would be suspended. Both projects have been major aspirations of the Ijebu people for decades.

A palace source described the development as shocking and disgraceful, noting that weaponizing development against a cultural institution is an insult to the community.

Attempt to Use Institutions Backfires

After failing to bend the kingmakers, attention shifted toward eliminating Onabanjo from the contest. Petitions were reportedly taken to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Department of State Services in an attempt to intimidate him. However, sources claimed that both institutions indicated that they found nothing against him and would not be used as instruments in the succession struggle.
With that avenue blocked, analysts say conversations began about formulating fresh accusations and smear attacks to weaken the prince’s public standing before the process resumes.

Public Outrage as Communities Push Back

The revelations have generated outrage across Ijebu land, with civic voices demanding that politicians withdraw from the succession process before further damage is done.

“This is oppression disguised as politics,” said Kazeem Shobande, a civic advocate in Ijebu Ode. “Threatening to suspend Ijebu State or the dry port project simply because you want to install your own candidate is an insult to the entire community.”

“This is favouritism mixed with entitlement,” added Mrs Funmilola Adekunle of Ijebu Imushin. “Tradition cannot be rigged. The kingmakers have said they will not nominate unworthy candidates. Politicians must not trivialize their own legacies or ridicule the throne.”

Retired civil servant and cultural historian Oladipo Onifade warned that the interference risks reducing the Awujale stool to a tool for political bargaining. According to him, even colonial administrators avoided meddling in the Awujale succession, and modern leaders should avoid disgracing themselves.

Onabanjo Stands His Ground

Despite private emissaries and attempts at negotiation, sources close to Onabanjo confirmed that he has refused to step down. The prince reportedly told associates that the throne belongs to Ijebu sons and that the succession must follow tradition, not political preferences.

A Struggle Between Tradition and Power

Observers warn that continued interference risks triggering a legitimacy crisis and setting a dangerous precedent in Yoruba land. With the selection process still suspended, civic groups are calling for its immediate resumption, free from political influence.

For now, political actors have failed to push Onabanjo out and have attracted condemnation for attempting to manipulate one of the most ancient royal institutions in the region.

Whether they escalate further or withdraw from the arena remains to be seen.