Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has questioned the Federal Government’s handling of the Ebola case confirmed in Abuja, raising concerns over the reported nine-day gap between the patient seeking treatment and the public announcement of the infection.
Atiku also demanded an explanation from President Bola Tinubu over the N10 billion reportedly approved for Ebola preparedness in June, insisting that the government disclose how the funds were released and utilised.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate made the demands in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
His reaction followed an announcement by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, that the Federal Government had confirmed an Ebola case in Abuja and identified 44 close contacts for tracing to prevent further transmission.
According to Atiku, the reported timeline of the case raised questions about the effectiveness of the country’s disease surveillance system and the protection of frontline health workers.
He said the patient reportedly arrived in Nigeria on October 5, developed symptoms on October 7 and sought treatment at a private hospital on October 11, while the government did not publicly confirm the infection until October 20.
The former vice-president argued that the interval required a clear explanation, particularly regarding the monitoring of people who might have been exposed to the virus and the measures taken to protect healthcare workers who attended to the patient.
Atiku alleged that the 44 close contacts were not adequately monitored during the period and questioned whether private health workers involved in the patient’s treatment had sufficient protective equipment.
He called on the government to provide a detailed account of the response, including when travel and exposure screening began, what follow-up measures were taken after the patient developed symptoms, and when the identified contacts were first reached and placed under monitoring.
“Ebola is a grave public health threat. Nigerians deserve urgent action, competent leadership and the truth,” he said.
Beyond the handling of the confirmed case, Atiku challenged Tinubu to account for the N10 billion reportedly approved for emergency preparedness in June.
He asked the President to publish details of the funds disbursed, the dates of payment, contracts awarded, beneficiaries and the items or services delivered.
He also demanded an explanation if the money had not been released to the agencies and institutions responsible for the country’s public health response.
According to Atiku, public announcements of emergency funding must be accompanied by evidence of actual disbursement and accountability.
He argued that the government needed to clarify whether the resources announced months earlier had translated into improved surveillance, hospital preparedness and adequate protective equipment for frontline personnel.
Atiku also criticised the leadership structure of the presidential task force announced by Tinubu in June, which he said was chaired by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
He maintained that the response to a public health emergency should be led by medical and epidemiological experts with the necessary 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 inadequate management of the outbreak could heighten public anxiety and disrupt movement, livelihoods and economic activities.
He further linked the situation to the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, arguing that citizens should not bear the burden of both rising hardship and what he described as shortcomings in emergency preparedness.
Atiku called for transparency, a comprehensive explanation of the government’s response and accountability for any established lapses.
The Federal Government’s account of the timeline, the management of the identified contacts and the disbursement of the reported N10 billion would be central to addressing the concerns raised in his statement.
