APC Campaign Council to Atiku: N10bn Ebola Fund Untouched — Applaud Task Force for Being Responsive

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council has accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of politicising Nigeria’s Ebola response.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Dele Alake, spokesperson of the council, said the N10 billion approved by President Bola Tinubu for Ebola preparedness remained untouched.

Alake was responding to remarks made on Wednesday by Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), asking Tinubu to account for the N10 billion approved for Ebola preparedness in June.

“On accountability, the Atiku camp should note that the N10 billion the President approved for the Ebola emergency in June remains untouched, as the NCDC, FAAN, and other agencies involved in surveillance have been spending other available resources,” he said.

“The agencies deserve applause for mounting a robust surveillance at entry points to avert Ebola spread whenever it lands on our shores.

“This surveillance network tipped off the government about the index case and led to contact tracing of the patient’s 44 contacts.

“A responsible opposition will applaud the Task Force for being responsive. But the Atiku camp always goes for cheap shots at the government.”

Alake said linking Tinubu’s name to Ebola risked turning a serious public health concern into an opportunity to ridicule the president.

He accused Atiku’s camp of displaying ignorance about the virus, particularly regarding why the infected Nigerian traveller was not detected upon arrival at Abuja airport.

He said Ebola’s incubation period ranges from two to 21 days, with symptoms typically appearing eight to 10 days after exposure.

Alake added that an infected person could not transmit the virus to others before symptoms developed.

He argued that the incubation period could explain why the traveller was not detected on arrival and sought medical attention days after exposure.

Alake also accused Atiku’s camp of resorting to what he described as cheap political attacks rather than supporting public health authorities.

APC REJECTS CLAIM ON CAMPAIGN RALLIES 

Alake also faulted an allegation attributed to Atiku that a ministerial briefing on the Ebola situation was intended to discourage Nigerians from attending political campaign rallies or voting.

He described the allegation as speculative, insisting that such a serious claim required verifiable evidence, particularly during an election period.

The council spokesperson said the press conference in question did not raise the issue of campaign rallies but appealed to Nigerians to comply with the protocols announced by the task force.

“We advise Atiku Abubakar and his hirelings to avoid politicising public health issues,” he said.

“A time like this demands that all Nigerians, including the opposition, rally around the health authorities and professionals, communicate responsibly, avoid rumour-mongering, and follow the protocols advised by the Task Force to ensure Ebola does not become a national epidemic.

“Nigerians deserve, first of all, protection from the deadly disease.”