Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to account for the ₦10 billion reportedly approved for Ebola preparedness, following reports of a confirmed case in Abuja.
Atiku, in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, questioned how the funds were used and raised concerns about the country’s preparedness, contact tracing and the protection of frontline health workers.
He demanded that the government publish details of the money released, including payment dates, contracts awarded, recipients and the items supplied with the funds.
Atiku argued that Nigerians needed clear answers about the emergency funding, insisting that the government should provide verifiable records rather than rely on public statements.
“If the money was not released, Tinubu must explain why he announced emergency funding that never reached the people responsible for protecting Nigerians,” he said.
The former vice president also questioned the timeline of the reported Ebola case, claiming that the patient arrived in Nigeria on October 5, developed symptoms on October 7 and sought treatment at a private hospital on October 11. According to him, the government did not publicly confirm the case until October 20.
Atiku said the delay raised concerns about the country’s disease surveillance and response systems. He further alleged that 44 close contacts had been left unmonitored during a critical period and that private health workers who attended to the patient lacked adequate protective equipment.
He called on the government to explain when the patient’s travel history and possible exposure were assessed, when contact tracing began and what measures were taken to protect healthcare workers.
Atiku maintained that the authorities should establish what happened at each stage of the response and hold anyone found responsible for failures accountable.
He also questioned the leadership structure of the government’s Ebola response, recalling Tinubu’s announcement in June of a Presidential Task Force chaired by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
According to Atiku, public health experts, including epidemiologists, doctors and officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), should lead the technical response, with adequate resources and the authority to act.
He argued that political appointments should not overshadow the work of medical professionals in managing a public health emergency.
Beyond the health concerns, Atiku warned that the outbreak could worsen the economic difficulties facing Nigerians if the government’s response disrupted movement, livelihoods and commercial activities.
He said citizens should not have to bear the consequences of both economic hardship and what he described as inadequate emergency preparedness.
The ADC chieftain also raised concerns about the possible political implications of the outbreak, alleging that a planned press conference by the Minister of Health was intended to discourage Nigerians from attending campaign rallies and, ultimately, from voting.
He questioned the minister’s role in the Ebola prevention programme and referred to what he described as a limited disbursement to the Ministry of Health under the 2025 appropriation.
Atiku’s allegations place the government’s handling of the reported Ebola case and the management of the preparedness funds under scrutiny. However, the claims about the funding, contact tracing, protective equipment and alleged political motives were made by Atiku and would require verification from the relevant authorities.
The Federal Government’s response to the specific allegations was not included in the statement provided.
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