The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to account for the N10 billion President Bola Tinubu approved for Ebola emergency preparedness in June.
Politics Nigeria reports that the challenge followed the APC’s claim that the funds remained untouched, despite the confirmation of an Ebola case in Abuja.
The ruling party had accused former Vice-President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, of politicising the health emergency and ridiculing the president by linking his first name to the deadly disease.
In a statement issued on Friday, Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication at the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, questioned why the funds had not been used for the purpose for which they were approved.
“On 9 June, the Presidency announced that President Tinubu had ordered the immediate release of N10 billion for Ebola emergency preparedness. Now, with a case confirmed in Abuja, the APC says the money remains ‘untouched’,” Shaibu said.
He described the APC’s position as an indictment of the administration, demanding clarification on the status of the funds.
“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?” he asked.
Shaibu urged the government to publish the relevant financial records to establish how the funds had been managed.
“Publish the release documents, the account records and the Task Force’s expenditure reports. Insulting Atiku Abubakar will not account for one naira,” he added.
The ADC campaign council spokesman also criticised the APC for focusing on the similarity between the president’s first name, Bola, and Ebola rather than addressing the financial questions raised by Atiku’s camp.
“These aren’t just rhyming words; the effect of Bola’s policies is as deadly as the dreaded Ebola,” Shaibu said, accusing the administration’s policies of making food and medical care unaffordable for Nigerians.
He added that Atiku had asked for an account of the emergency funds and the government’s response, but the APC had responded by focusing on the wording of the opposition’s criticism.
The dispute followed a statement by Dele Alake, spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, who accused Atiku of using the outbreak to ridicule President Tinubu.
Alake said linking the president’s name to Ebola risked turning a serious public health concern into a political attack.
“We believe linking and rhyming President Bola Tinubu’s name to Ebola only risks turning a serious health concern into a vehicle to ridicule the President of the Federal Republic,” he said.
On the N10 billion fund, Alake maintained that the money had not been spent because relevant agencies were using other available resources to manage the situation.
“On accountability, the Atiku camp should note that the N10 billion the President approved for the Ebola emergency in June remains untouched, while the NCDC, FAAN, and other surveillance agencies have spent other available resources,” he said.
The APC spokesperson also credited the country’s surveillance system with alerting the government to the case and facilitating contact tracing for 44 people who had contact with the infected patient.
According to Alake, the surveillance network “tipped off the government about the index case and led to contact tracing of the patient’s 44 contacts.”
However, Shaibu demanded a detailed explanation of how the case was detected and how authorities responded after the patient developed symptoms.
Citing the World Health Organization’s account, he said the patient developed symptoms on October 7, sought treatment at a private health facility on October 11 and received laboratory confirmation on October 20.
“When was Ebola first suspected? When were public health authorities alerted? When was testing ordered? When did contact tracing begin?” Shaibu asked.
He also challenged the government to identify the agency that first raised the alarm, disclose when the alert was issued and explain the measures taken in response.
“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,” he said.
Shaibu stressed that the 44 identified contacts required adequate monitoring and protection, while health workers involved in treating the patient and tracing contacts should receive the necessary equipment and resources.
“Questioning the government’s preparedness is no insult to them. Demanding applause for President Tinubu while refusing to explain an untouched emergency fund is an insult to Nigerians,” he added.
The ADC campaign council also addressed the APC’s criticism of Atiku’s warning that the outbreak should not be used to interfere with political campaigns or voting.
Shaibu urged the administration to provide evidence that any proposed restrictions would be based strictly on public health considerations.
“President Tinubu’s government can address that concern directly: publish any proposed restrictions, their medical justification and the advice of the health authorities,” he said.
He added that public health measures must protect Nigerians and should not be used as political tools.
Shaibu urged the government and the ruling party to resolve the controversy through documentary evidence and a clear account of the response to the outbreak.
“President Tinubu ordered N10 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,” he said.
“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,” he added.