Nigeria’s confirmation of its first Ebola case in more than a decade has triggered not only a public health emergency but also a fierce political confrontation, with former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, demanding accountability for the ₦10 billion earmarked for Ebola preparedness and warning against any attempt to exploit the outbreak for political purposes.
The Federal Government on Tuesday confirmed that a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda tested positive for the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) after receiving treatment for several days at a private hospital in Abuja.
Health authorities said the patient is in isolation while 44 close contacts have been identified and are being monitored as part of efforts to prevent further transmission.
However, the confirmation has sparked fresh questions over Nigeria’s level of preparedness, especially after President Bola Tinubu announced in June that ₦10 billion would be released to strengthen the country’s response against a possible Ebola outbreak.
Reacting to the development, Atiku said the emergence of the first confirmed case has exposed what he described as serious gaps in surveillance, emergency preparedness and protection for frontline health workers.
In a statement issued through the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President said the Tinubu administration owes Nigerians a full explanation of how the Ebola intervention funds were utilised.
“Ebola is a grave public health threat. Nigerians deserve urgent action, competent leadership and the truth. 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 ₦10 billion he said would be released immediately in June.”
He insisted that transparency, rather than official assurances, is what Nigerians need at a time of national anxiety.
“Where is the money? Publish the amount actually disbursed, the dates of payment, every contract awarded, every recipient and every item delivered. If the money was not 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.”
Atiku also questioned the government’s handling of the confirmed Ebola case, arguing that the timeline released by health authorities raises concerns over delayed detection and possible exposure of dozens of people.
“The timeline is damning. The patient arrived in Nigeria on October 5, developed symptoms on October 7 and sought care at a private hospital on October 11. The government did not confirm the case publicly until October 20, nine days after she sought care. During that critical period, 44 close contacts were left unmonitored, while private health workers faced the case without adequate protective equipment. This is a failure of preparedness with potentially grave consequences.”
The former Vice President demanded a detailed public explanation of how the response was managed from the patient’s arrival in Nigeria until confirmation of the diagnosis.
He also questioned whether medical professionals have been given enough authority to manage the outbreak, arguing that disease control should remain in the hands of experts rather than political appointees.
“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.”
Beyond the health implications, Atiku warned that Nigerians already struggling with rising living costs could face additional hardship if the outbreak is not professionally managed.
“The people must not pay twice for the same failure: first through hardship, then through a bungled emergency response. Both caused by Bola.”
The ADC presidential candidate further alleged that the outbreak could be used to discourage political participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The Tinubu administration must not weaponise Ebola to frighten the public, silence its opponents or suppress voter participation. Any public health measure must be backed by clear medical evidence, applied equally and never used as a pretext to interfere with Nigerians’ democratic rights.”
He concluded by demanding accountability for the Ebola intervention fund while urging the government to focus on protecting lives instead of politics.
“The ‘Bola-Ebola’ strategy will not fool Nigerians. You cannot fail to protect the people, conceal what happened to emergency funds, then use the crisis to restrict their freedom. Account for the ₦10 billion. Protect every health worker. Trace every contact. Tell Nigerians the truth. Fight Ebola, and keep your hands off their right to assemble and choose their leaders.”