Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to account for the N10 billion announced for Ebola preparedness, alleging that the confirmed case in Abuja has exposed serious questions about the government’s preparedness, disease surveillance and protection of health workers.
Atiku also warned the Federal Government against using the Ebola outbreak as a pretext to restrict political activities, discourage campaign rallies or undermine Nigerians’ right to vote.
The former vice-president made the remarks in a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council.
Atiku, who described Ebola as a grave public health threat, demanded full disclosure of the funds announced for preparedness, including the amounts disbursed, payment dates, contracts awarded, recipients and items delivered.
He said the government must explain whether the money had been released and, if not, why the emergency funding was announced without reaching those responsible for protecting Nigerians.
“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 said.
Atiku also questioned the timeline of the response to the confirmed Ebola case, alleging that the patient arrived in Nigeria on October 5, developed symptoms on October 7 and sought medical attention at a private hospital on October 11, while the government publicly confirmed the case on October 20.
He expressed concern over the nine-day interval between the patient seeking care and the public confirmation of the case, claiming that 44 close contacts had remained unmonitored during the critical period.
The former vice-president further alleged that private health workers who attended to the patient lacked adequate protective equipment, warning that any lapses in preparedness and response could have serious public health consequences.
He called on the government to provide a detailed account of the events, including the travel history and exposure screening conducted, the follow-up initiated after the patient developed symptoms and when the 44 contacts were first reached and monitored.
Atiku also demanded explanations for the alleged lack of adequate protection for frontline health workers, insisting that those responsible for any established failures should be held accountable.
Turning to the structure of the government’s response, he recalled that Tinubu announced a Presidential Task Force on Ebola preparedness in June, chaired by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
He questioned whether political appointees had overshadowed medical professionals in managing the response, arguing that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, epidemiologists, doctors and other public health experts should lead the effort.
“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.
Atiku also linked the outbreak to the economic pressures facing Nigerians, arguing that inadequate preparedness could deepen public anxiety and disrupt movement, livelihoods and economic activities.
He accused the administration of placing additional burdens on citizens already grappling with economic hardship, insisting that Nigerians should not bear the consequences of failures in both economic management and emergency response.
The former vice-president also raised concerns about a planned press conference by the Minister of Health, alleging that it was intended to discourage Nigerians from attending campaign rallies and, ultimately, from voting.
He questioned the minister’s involvement in the Ebola response, claiming that the ministry had received only N35 million in disbursements under the 2025 appropriation and had not been involved in the Ebola prevention programme.
Atiku warned the Federal Government against using public health measures to restrict political participation, insisting that any restrictions introduced in response to the outbreak must be supported by medical evidence and applied fairly.
“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 announced N10 billion, ensure adequate protection for health workers, trace all contacts and provide Nigerians with accurate information about the outbreak.
Atiku concluded by reiterating his opposition to any attempt to use the public health emergency to curtail citizens’ democratic freedoms.
“Account for the N10 billion. Protect every health worker. Trace every contact. Tell Nigerians the truth. Fight Ebola, and keep your hands off their right to assemble and choose their leaders,” he said.
