Ebola: “Political titles cannot trace contacts, equip hospitals or save lives–Atiku

According to a report by Vanguard, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to account for the N10 billion reportedly announced for Ebola preparedness, alleging that the confirmed case in Abuja exposed serious gaps in disease surveillance and the protection of healthcare workers.

Atiku called on the federal government to explain how the emergency funds were spent and why frontline medical personnel were allegedly left without adequate protective equipment.

He also warned against using the outbreak as a reason to restrict political campaigns or limit voter participation, stressing the need to protect public health without undermining democratic activities.

Atiku made his position known in a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council.

In the statement, the former vice president demanded a public audit of the funds and explanations regarding the government’s handling of the reported Ebola case.

He questioned whether the resources allocated for preparedness had achieved their intended purpose, particularly in strengthening surveillance systems, equipping hospitals and ensuring that health workers could respond safely to suspected infections.

The former vice president also raised concerns about the timeline surrounding the reported case.

According to Atiku, the patient arrived in Nigeria on October 5, developed symptoms on October 7 and sought treatment at a private hospital on October 11.

However, he noted that the government did not publicly confirm the case until October 20.

Atiku questioned the interval between the patient’s arrival, the development of symptoms, the search for medical attention and the public announcement.

He argued that the timeline required clarification to determine whether existing surveillance and response mechanisms had functioned as expected.

Atiku further questioned the effectiveness of the Presidential Task Force announced by Tinubu in June to address Ebola preparedness.

He specifically referred to the decision to appoint the president’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, as chairman of the task force, arguing that medical experts should lead the technical response to a public health emergency.

According to the former vice president, managing an outbreak requires specialised knowledge, effective coordination and the capacity to protect both patients and healthcare workers.

He maintained that the government needed to provide clear answers about the task force’s operations and its contribution to the country’s preparedness.

The ADC presidential campaign council also raised concerns about the alleged lack of adequate protective equipment for frontline health workers.

Atiku argued that those responsible for treating suspected or confirmed cases should have access to the equipment and resources required to minimise the risk of infection.

He called for transparency in the management of emergency funds and accountability from officials responsible for implementing preparedness measures.

His demands centred on whether the money announced for Ebola preparedness had translated into practical improvements in hospitals, disease detection and the protection of medical personnel.

Atiku also cautioned the government against allowing the outbreak to interfere with political campaigns and citizens’ participation in elections.

He maintained that public health measures should be guided by medical advice and implemented without unnecessarily restricting democratic activities.

The former vice president’s statement combined demands for financial accountability with questions about the country’s emergency response arrangements and the leadership of the task force.

He called for greater transparency and a response led by qualified professionals, while questioning whether the arrangements put in place by the federal government were sufficient to address the reported case.

He said, “Political titles cannot trace contacts, equip hospitals or save lives.”

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