ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to account for the ₦10 billion reportedly ordered for Ebola emergency preparedness, following a confirmed case in Abuja.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Friday through his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) for claiming that the funds remained untouched while defending the government’s handling of the health emergency.
The statement, titled The APC Only Found a Rhyme in Bola and Ebola, questioned why the government had not provided documentary evidence of the fund’s release and expenditure.
“These aren’t just rhyming words; the effect of Bola’s policies is as deadly as the dreaded Ebola,” the statement said.
It added that the APC had focused on Atiku’s criticism rather than providing answers about the emergency funds.
“@atiku asked for the money trail and an account of the emergency response. The party in power came back with a pronunciation lesson. What an extraordinary way to tell a frightened country it has no answers,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the Presidency announced on 9 June that Tinubu had ordered the immediate release of ₦10 billion for Ebola emergency preparedness.
However, it said the APC had subsequently claimed that the money remained untouched, describing the position as an indictment of the administration.
“Was the money released or was it not? If it was released, where is it held, who controls it, and why has it not been used for the preparedness President Tinubu announced? If it was never released, why was an order for its immediate release announced in June?” the statement asked.
The statement called on the government to publish the release documents, account records and expenditure reports of the Ebola Task Force to clarify the status of the funds.
“Insulting Atiku Abubakar will not account for one naira,” it added.
Questions Over Ebola Response Timeline
The ADC Presidential Campaign Council also questioned the timeline of the government’s response to the confirmed Ebola case, calling for details of when the infection was suspected and when public health authorities began taking action.
Citing the World Health Organization’s account, the statement said the patient developed symptoms on 7 October, sought care at a private facility on 11 October and received laboratory confirmation on 20 October.
It asked when Ebola was first suspected, when public health authorities were alerted, when testing was ordered and when contact tracing began.
“The APC claims surveillance ‘tipped off’ the government. Then publish the timeline. Name the agency that raised the alert, give the date and explain the action taken,” the statement said.
It also questioned the APC’s presentation of the 44 identified contacts as evidence of its response.
“44 identified contacts are people whose health must be protected. They are not a trophy for an APC press release,” it added.
The statement stressed the need to protect health workers treating the patient and tracing contacts, insisting that scrutiny of the government’s preparedness should not be interpreted as an attack on those responding to the outbreak.
“Health workers treating the patient and tracing contacts deserve protection, equipment and every resource needed to act quickly. Questioning the government’s preparedness is no insult to them,” it said.
Atiku’s Camp Warns Against Political Use Of Health Emergency
The statement also raised concerns about the possibility of public health restrictions affecting political campaigns or voting, urging the government to provide clear explanations for any proposed measures.
It called on the administration to publish any proposed restrictions, their medical justification and the advice of health authorities.
“Public health guidance must protect people. It must never become a political tool,” the statement said.
Reiterating its demand for accountability, the ADC Presidential Campaign Council said the government should resolve the apparent contradiction between the Presidency’s June announcement and the APC’s claim that the funds remained untouched.
“President Tinubu ordered ₦10 billion released in June. His party now says it is untouched. That contradiction came from the Presidency and the APC. They should resolve it with records,” the statement said.
It concluded by demanding an explanation of the fund’s status, a detailed account of the response timeline and adequate protection for health workers.
“Show Nigerians where the money is. Explain the response timeline. Protect health workers. Trace every contact. President Tinubu and the APC owe the country answers not ‘Bola-Ebola’ tales.”
The statement was signed by Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication at the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, and dated 23 October 2026.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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