Atiku Knocks APC’s Claim Of Untouched N10bn Ebola Fund, Demands Publication Of Account

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed the All Progressives Congress (APC) claim that the ₦10 billion approved for Ebola preparedness remains untouched, demanding that the Federal Government publish the full account of the fund.

In a statement on Friday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the APC’s response to his earlier demand for accountability had failed to address where the money is.

“President Bola Tinubu through Dele Alake and the APC have made a remarkable discovery: ‘Bola’ sounds like ‘Ebola.’ We had not noticed. They found the rhyme, wrote a lengthy press statement about it and somehow still could not tell Nigerians where the ₦10 billion ordered released for Ebola preparedness is. If only they searched the accounts with the same enthusiasm they brought to the dictionary,” the statement said.

“These aren’t just rhyming words; the effect of Bola’s policies is as deadly as the dreaded Ebola.

“Ebola destroys lives through disease. Bola’s policies have made food and medical care unaffordable and buried businesses that Nigerians spent years building. Yet the APC wants a debate about how two words sound. Atiku Abubakar asked for the money trail and an account of the emergency response. The party in power came back with a pronunciation lesson. What an extraordinary way to tell a frightened country it has no answers.”

Atiku recalled that on 9 June, the Presidency announced that President Tinubu had ordered the immediate release of ₦10 billion for Ebola emergency preparedness.

“Now, with a case confirmed in Abuja, the APC says the money remains ‘untouched’. It presents that claim as a defence. It is an indictment of the Bola administration.

“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? If it was never released, why was an order for its immediate release announced in June? Publish the release documents, the account records and the Task Force’s expenditure reports. Insulting Atiku Abubakar will not account for one naira,” he said.

On the government’s explanation of Ebola transmission, Atiku said the APC had not answered what happened after symptoms appeared.

“The APC says an infected person cannot transmit Ebola before symptoms appear. That is true. It does not answer what happened after symptoms appeared. According to the World Health Organization’s account, the patient developed symptoms on 7th October, sought care at a private facility on 11th October, and received laboratory confirmation on 20th October. When was Ebola first suspected? When were public health authorities alerted? When was testing ordered? When did contact tracing begin?”

He challenged the APC to publish the surveillance timeline.

“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. 44 identified contacts are people whose health must be protected. They are not a trophy for an APC press release.”

Atiku said health workers treating the patient and tracing contacts deserve protection, equipment and every resource needed to act quickly.

“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 also restated his warning that a health emergency must never be used to interfere with campaigning or voting.

“The APC also objects to our warning that a health emergency must never be used to interfere with campaigning or voting. President Tinubu’s government can address that concern directly: publish any proposed restrictions, their medical justification and the advice of the health authorities. Public health guidance must protect people. It must never become a political tool.”

“President Tinubu ordered ₦10 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.

“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.”