Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to account for the ₦10 billion reportedly approved for Ebola preparedness, following the confirmation of a case of the disease in Abuja.
Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of failing to adequately prepare for the outbreak, raising concerns over the handling of the emergency funds, contact tracing, and the protection of frontline health workers.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, the former vice president called on the Federal Government to publish details of the funds released, contracts awarded, and items supplied under the Ebola preparedness programme.
Atiku said the government must explain whether the ₦10 billion announced for emergency preparedness was actually disbursed and identify the beneficiaries of the expenditure.
“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.
The former vice president also questioned the timeline of events surrounding the confirmed case, claiming 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.
According to Atiku, the government did not publicly confirm the case until October 20, nine days after the patient reportedly sought medical attention.
He expressed concern over the alleged delay in the response, stating that 44 close contacts had been left unmonitored during a critical period and that private healthcare workers faced the case without adequate protective equipment.
Atiku called on the government to explain the screening procedures conducted upon the patient’s arrival, the steps taken after symptoms developed, when contact tracing commenced, and why frontline medical personnel allegedly lacked the necessary protective materials.
He further questioned the role of political appointees in coordinating the response, referring to the Presidential Task Force reportedly announced by Tinubu in June and chaired by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Atiku maintained that the response should be led by medical experts, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), epidemiologists, doctors, and other public health professionals.
“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.
The former vice president also warned that the outbreak could worsen the economic difficulties facing Nigerians if the government failed to manage the situation effectively.
He argued that citizens should not bear the consequences of what he described as inadequate preparation and a poorly managed emergency response.
Atiku also raised concerns about a planned press conference by the Minister of Health, alleging that the briefing was intended to discourage Nigerians from attending political campaign rallies and participating in voting.
He questioned the appropriateness of using public health announcements to restrict political activities, insisting that any measures introduced to contain the outbreak must be based on medical evidence and applied fairly.
According to him, the Ebola situation must not be used to intimidate opposition parties, restrict public gatherings for political reasons, or interfere with Nigerians’ 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,” Atiku said.
He concluded by demanding transparency over the ₦10 billion, adequate protection for healthcare workers, effective contact tracing, and clear communication with the public.
Atiku also urged the Federal Government to ensure that efforts to contain the outbreak did not undermine citizens’ constitutional freedoms.
The statement was signed by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, on October 21, 2026.
The allegations concerning the emergency funds, the handling of the Ebola case, and the alleged intention to restrict political activities were made by Atiku’s camp. The Federal Government’s response to these claims was not included in the statement.
