Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has demanded that the Federal Government explain the status of the ₦10 billion allocated for Ebola emergency preparedness, questioning whether the funds were released and how they have been managed.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, made the demand in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration must provide a clear account of the money, particularly following the confirmation of an Ebola case in Nigeria.
The demand followed comments by All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign spokesman Dele Alake, who said the fund remained intact and accused Atiku of politicising a public health issue.
Atiku Questions Status of ₦10bn Ebola Fund
Atiku argued that the government should clarify whether it released the money, identify who controls it and explain why it has not been spent if it was made available.
He referred to a June announcement by the Presidency that Tinubu had ordered the immediate release of ₦10 billion for Ebola emergency preparedness.
The former vice president called for the publication of fund release documents, account records and expenditure reports from the relevant task force.
He maintained that the APC’s claim that the money remained untouched raised questions about the implementation of the emergency response plan.
Atiku said the government should address those questions with official records rather than political exchanges.
ADC Candidate Raises Questions About Ebola Response
Atiku also questioned the timeline of the response to the confirmed Ebola case, citing information attributed to the World Health Organization.
According to the timeline he referenced, the patient developed symptoms on October 7, sought treatment at a private health facility on October 11 and received laboratory confirmation on October 20.
He asked when health authorities first suspected Ebola, when they received an alert, when testing began and when contact tracing commenced.
Atiku also challenged the APC to explain how surveillance systems detected the case and what actions followed the alert.
He referred to 44 identified contacts and called for transparency about the steps taken to protect them and contain the disease.
The former vice president stressed that health workers involved in treatment and contact tracing needed adequate equipment, protection and resources.
Atiku Warns Against Politicising Public Health Measures
Atiku further cautioned against using a public health emergency to interfere with political campaigning or voting.
He urged the government to publish any proposed restrictions and explain their medical justification, including guidance from public health authorities.
He argued that the government owed Nigerians clear answers about the emergency fund and the response timeline.
The Federal Government and the APC have maintained that the ₦10 billion remains intact, while Atiku is demanding records to clarify the fund’s status and use.
The claims about the fund and the handling of the Ebola response remain central to the political dispute.
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