Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has alleged that the outbreak of Ebola has exposed serious gaps in Nigeria’s preparedness, surveillance and protection of frontline health workers.
Atiku therefore demanded a comprehensive audit of the N10 billion approved for Ebola preparedness, insisting that the Federal Government must account for the emergency funding announced by President Tinubu in June.
According to him, the Bola Tinubu administration has failed to demonstrate how the funds were deployed following the confirmation of a case in Abuja.
Recall that on Tuesday, Nigeria confirmed one case of Ebola disease in the FCT and also identified 44 close contacts with the victim.
In a statement issued by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, the ADC presidential flagbearer called on the government to publish details of the amount disbursed, dates of payment, contracts awarded, recipients and items delivered under the preparedness programme.
“Where is the money? Publish the amount actually disbursed, the dates of payment, every contract awarded, every recipient and every item delivered,” Atiku said.
He maintained that if the funds were not released, the President should explain why emergency funding was announced without reaching those responsible for protecting Nigerians.
Atiku also questioned the government’s handling of the confirmed case, citing a timeline in which the patient reportedly arrived in Nigeria on October 5, developed symptoms on October 7 and sought medical attention at a private hospital on October 11.
He said the case was not publicly confirmed until October 20, nine days after the patient sought medical care, raising concerns about the speed of detection, response and public communication.
According to him, 44 close contacts were left unmonitored during the critical period, while private health workers who attended to the patient allegedly lacked adequate protective equipment.
“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?” he asked.
The former vice president called for an investigation into the handling of the case and accountability for any lapses, stressing that Nigerians deserved clear answers on the government’s preparedness and response.
He further questioned the leadership structure of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola, announced by Tinubu in June and chaired by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Atiku argued that public health experts, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, epidemiologists and medical professionals, should lead the response, with political officials providing the necessary support and resources.
“Nigerians are already battling the economic hardship created by Tinubu’s policies. Now the government’s failure to prepare and respond threatens to deepen public anxiety and disrupt movement, livelihoods and economic activity,” he said.
Atiku also alleged that the planned press conference by the Minister of Health was intended to discourage Nigerians from attending campaign rallies and voting, describing the purported move as an attempt to exploit the health emergency for political purposes.
He questioned the minister’s role in the Ebola preparedness programme and cited what he described as a N35 million disbursement to the ministry under the 2025 appropriation.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, on Wednesday said the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola diagnosed in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has to do with a diplomat whose condition has deteriorated into “multi-organ failure”.
Ebola Bundibugyo is a rare and severe species of the genus Orthoebolavirus that causes Bundibugyo virus disease, BVD, a form of viral hemorrhagic fever in humans.
It was first discovered in Uganda in 2007 and spreads via direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials.
