Atiku demands explanation over N10bn Ebola preparedness fund

Mr Atiku also accused the Federal Government of failing to adequately prepare for the outbreak, alleging lapses in disease surveillance, contact tracing and the protection of health workers.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Atiku demanded the publication of details of the funds, including disbursements, contracts and items procured.

“Ebola is a grave public health threat. Nigerians deserve urgent action, competent leadership and the truth. Instead, the first confirmed case in Abuja has exposed unanswered questions about preparedness, surveillance and the protection of health workers. Tinubu must account for the N10 billion he said would be released immediately in June,” he said.

“Where is the money? Publish the amount actually disbursed, the dates of payment, every contract awarded, every recipient and every item delivered. If the money was not released, Tinubu must explain why he announced emergency funding that never reached the people responsible for protecting Nigerians. A press statement cannot replace an audit,” he added.

The former vice president questioned the government’s handling of the case, citing a timeline in which the patient reportedly 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, nine days after the patient sought medical attention.

Mr Atiku alleged that 44 close contacts had not been monitored during the period and that health workers at the private hospital lacked adequate protective equipment.

He called on the government to disclose when contact tracing began, how the patient’s travel history and possible exposure were assessed, and when the identified contacts were reached.

“The government must disclose what happened at every stage. What travel history and exposure screening were conducted? What follow-up began when the patient developed symptoms? When were the 44 contacts first reached and monitored? Why were frontline staff left without the protection they needed?” he asked.

The ADC presidential campaign council also questioned the structure of the government’s response, noting that President Tinubu had announced a presidential task force chaired by his chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, in June.

Mr Atiku argued that medical experts should take the lead in managing the outbreak, with political appointees providing the necessary support.

“The NCDC, epidemiologists, doctors and public health professionals must be in charge, with the authority and resources to act. Political titles cannot trace contacts, equip hospitals or save lives,” he said.

He further accused the Federal Government of compounding the economic difficulties facing Nigerians through what he described as inadequate preparation and a potentially mishandled public health emergency.

“The people must not pay twice for the same failure: first through hardship, then through a bungled emergency response. Both caused by Bola,” he said.

Mr Atiku also raised concerns over a planned press conference by the Minister of Health, alleging that it was intended to discourage Nigerians from attending campaign rallies and, ultimately, voting.

He questioned the minister’s role in the Ebola response, claiming that the ministry received only N35 million in disbursements under the 2025 appropriation and was not involved in the Ebola prevention programme.

The former vice president warned the Tinubu administration against using the outbreak to restrict political activities or undermine citizens’ democratic rights.

“The Tinubu administration must not weaponise Ebola to frighten the public, silence its opponents or suppress voter participation. Any public health measure must be backed by clear medical evidence, applied equally and never used as a pretext to interfere with Nigerians’ democratic rights,” he said.

He urged the government to account for the funds, protect health workers, trace contacts and provide Nigerians with accurate information about the outbreak.

“The ‘Bola-Ebola’ strategy will not fool Nigerians. You cannot fail to protect the people, conceal what happened to emergency funds, then use the crisis to restrict their freedom,” Mr Atiku said.

The allegations concerning the handling of the Ebola preparedness funds, the monitoring of contacts, the provision of protective equipment and the alleged intention to restrict campaign activities were contained in the ADC campaign council’s statement.

The statement did not include a response from the Federal Government to the allegations.

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