Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, has asked President Bola Tinubu to account for the N10 billion approved in June for Ebola preparedness.
Atiku’s remarks followed an announcement by Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, that the Federal Government had confirmed an Ebola case in Abuja and identified 44 close contacts for tracing to prevent further transmission.
Speaking in a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, his Director of Strategic Communication, Atiku said the confirmed case had raised questions about the government’s preparedness and response.
“Ebola is a grave public health threat. Nigerians deserve urgent action, competent leadership and the truth,” he said.
“Instead, the first confirmed case in Abuja has exposed unanswered questions about preparedness, surveillance and the protection of health workers. Tinubu must account for the N10 billion he said would be released immediately in June.”
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Atiku called on the president to publish the amount disbursed, payment dates, contract details, recipients and items delivered, stressing that Tinubu must explain if the money had not been 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 reported case, saying the patient arrived in Nigeria on October 5, developed symptoms on October 7 and sought treatment at a private hospital on October 11.
He said the government did not publicly confirm the case until October 20, nine days after the patient sought treatment.
Atiku alleged that the 44 close contacts were not monitored during that period and that private health workers who handled the case lacked adequate protective equipment.
“This is a failure of preparedness with potentially grave consequences,” he said.
Atiku called on the government to disclose the steps taken at every stage of the response, including travel history and exposure screening, follow-up after the patient developed symptoms, and when the 44 contacts were first reached and monitored.
He also questioned why frontline health workers were allegedly left without adequate protection.
“Nigerians deserve answers, and those responsible for these failures must be held accountable,” he said.
Atiku criticised the role of political appointees in the response, noting that Tinubu had announced a presidential task force chaired by Femi Gbajabiamila, his chief of staff, in June.
He said medical experts should lead the response, with the authority and resources to act.
“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 warned that the government’s handling of the outbreak could heighten public anxiety and disrupt movement, livelihoods and economic activity.
He attributed the country’s economic hardship to Tinubu’s policies, saying Nigerians should not bear the cost of both economic difficulties and an inadequate emergency response.
“The people must not pay twice for the same failure: first through hardship, then through a bungled emergency response. Both caused by Bola,” he said.e said.e said.e said.e said.e said.
