An Infected Person Cannot Spread Or Transmit Ebola To Others Until They Actively Develop Symptoms–Atiku

According to a report by Punch, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his comments on the Ebola health emergency, accusing him of politicising a public health issue and showing disrespect towards President Bola Tinubu.

The council expressed its displeasure with Atiku’s remarks concerning the government’s response to the health situation, arguing that the issue required responsible public discussion.

It maintained that political differences should not interfere with efforts to address a public health emergency, particularly at a time when Nigerians needed to support health authorities and follow relevant medical guidance.

In a press statement issued on Thursday and signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the council described Atiku’s comments on the government’s handling of the Ebola situation as inappropriate.

It argued that the circumstances surrounding the health emergency required cooperation with the relevant authorities rather than political criticism.

According to the council, public figures had a responsibility to communicate carefully about issues that could affect public understanding of health risks.

It also maintained that the government’s response to the situation should be discussed in a manner that encouraged public awareness and supported the work of health officials responsible for containing the disease.

The statement particularly took issue with a headline attributed to Atiku that linked President Tinubu’s first name to Ebola while questioning the expenditure of the N10 billion approved for the emergency.

The council criticised the framing of the remarks, arguing that they politicised the health situation and showed disrespect towards the president.

It also challenged Atiku’s questioning of the funds approved to address the emergency, making the expenditure a central point in its response to the former vice president’s comments.

The council maintained that the government’s handling of the situation should be assessed with due consideration for the public health challenges involved.

The APC Presidential Campaign Council also faulted Atiku’s comments concerning the detection of an infected Nigerian who had travelled from Uganda.

It argued that the circumstances surrounding the reported case required a proper understanding of Ebola and the way the disease is transmitted.

The council maintained that discussions about the detection of an infected person should take account of established medical information, particularly the period between exposure to the virus and the appearance of symptoms.

It said such information was important in understanding the disease and the measures needed to protect public health.

The council’s response focused on the medical considerations surrounding Ebola transmission and the need for accurate information during a health emergency.

According to the council, Ebola has an incubation period ranging from two to 21 days, during which an exposed person may develop symptoms after contracting the virus.

It stated that symptoms typically appear between eight and 10 days after exposure, although the incubation period can vary.

The council relied on this explanation to challenge Atiku’s comments about the infected Nigerian who had travelled from Uganda.

It argued that understanding the disease’s incubation period was necessary when discussing the circumstances surrounding possible transmission and the response required from health authorities.

The statement emphasised the importance of medical information in public discussions about the Ebola emergency.

The council further maintained that an infected person does not transmit Ebola to others before actively developing symptoms, using this point to explain its objection to Atiku’s remarks concerning the reported case.

It argued that public statements about the disease should reflect an understanding of its transmission and incubation period, particularly while health authorities were responding to the situation.

He said, “An infected person cannot spread or transmit Ebola to others until they actively develop symptoms.”

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