Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to provide a detailed account of the ₦10 billion approved for Ebola preparedness, following the confirmation of Nigeria’s first case of the disease in Abuja.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, questioned how the emergency funding had been utilised and whether the measures announced by the Federal Government had been effectively implemented.
The former vice president made his position known through a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.
President Tinubu had announced the approval of the ₦10 billion emergency fund in June, alongside the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats.
The funding was intended to strengthen the operational capacity of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and improve the country’s preparedness for potential public health emergencies.
However, Atiku argued that the recent confirmation of an Ebola case in Abuja had raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the government’s preparedness measures.
Atiku Questions Ebola Response Timeline
The ADC chieftain expressed concern over the timeline surrounding the case, noting that the patient reportedly arrived in Nigeria on 5 October, developed symptoms on 7 October and sought medical attention at a private hospital on 11 October.
The Federal Government publicly confirmed the infection on 20 October.
Atiku questioned why the case was not publicly confirmed earlier and raised concerns about whether the patient’s contacts had been identified and monitored promptly.
He also alleged that healthcare workers who attended to the patient may not have had adequate protective equipment, calling for greater transparency regarding the circumstances surrounding the case.
The health authorities have identified 44 contacts for monitoring as part of ongoing efforts to contain the infection.
Former Vice President Wants Details of Expenditure
Atiku called on the Tinubu administration to publish a comprehensive breakdown of the emergency fund, including the amount actually released, payment dates, contracts awarded, beneficiaries and items procured.
He argued that announcing the approval of public funds was not enough without evidence showing how the money had been disbursed and spent.
The former vice president also questioned the decision to place the Presidential Task Force under the leadership of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, insisting that public health professionals should have the authority and resources required to coordinate the response.
He maintained that epidemiologists, the NCDC and other relevant health experts should play central roles in containing the outbreak and protecting healthcare workers.
Atiku Raises Concerns Over Political Gatherings
Beyond the handling of the health emergency, Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of potentially using the Ebola situation to discourage political participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
He expressed concern that public health measures could be used to restrict campaign rallies or other political gatherings without sufficient medical justification.
The former vice president insisted that any restrictions introduced in response to the outbreak should be based on clear public health evidence and applied fairly.
He urged the Federal Government to prioritise contact tracing, protect healthcare workers, provide accurate information about the outbreak and account for the funds approved for preparedness.
The ₦10 billion allocation was announced as part of Nigeria’s preventive response before the latest case was confirmed. The questions raised by Atiku have renewed scrutiny of the government’s preparedness plans, spending transparency and response to the health emergency.
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