Atiku Wants Clarity on N10bn Ebola Fund from FG

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is asking the federal government how it has used the N10 billion set aside for Ebola emergency preparedness.

Atiku made this request in a statement on his X account on Friday. This came after the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council claimed the money, approved by President Bola Tinubu in June, has not been touched.

In the statement, signed by Phrank Shaibu, the director of strategic communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku wants the government to share clear details about the fund.

He asked, “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?”

Atiku is also asking for records that show how much money was disbursed, when payments were made, what contracts were awarded, who the beneficiaries are, and what items were delivered. He believes the government should provide this information instead of relying on a press statement.

The APC campaign council claimed the N10 billion is still untouched. They said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other agencies are using other resources to respond to Ebola.

Atiku didn’t stop at the fund. He also questioned how the government has been handling the Ebola situation. He asked when the first suspicion of Ebola arose, when public health officials were alerted, when testing was ordered, and when contact tracing started.

He raised concerns about the 44 contacts identified by health officials. He wondered if that was enough, especially since the patient had visited another hospital and her home before being isolated.

Atiku called for health workers treating the patient and tracing the contacts to have the right protection and equipment. He 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 commented on the APC’s objection to the warning that a health emergency should not interfere with campaigning or voting. He said, “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.”

The APC Presidential Campaign Council, in a statement on 22 October signed by spokesperson Dele Alake, said the N10 billion approved by Mr Tinubu has not been disbursed. They mentioned that agencies involved in surveillance are working with other available resources. They credited these efforts with helping detect the imported Ebola case and identify 44 contacts.

The council accused Atiku of trying to make the health emergency a political issue. They urged opposition figures to support health authorities and follow public health protocols. They also dismissed Atiku's claim that the ministerial briefing on Ebola was meant to discourage Nigerians from attending rallies or voting. They called this claim speculative and asked Atiku to provide evidence.

Lawmakers are also concerned about funding for Nigeria’s response to Ebola. On 21 October, the House of Representatives urged the federal government to release outstanding funds to health agencies. They want to strengthen surveillance, contact tracing, and emergency response measures.

The House also asked the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC to evaluate what additional resources are needed to improve Nigeria’s preparedness and response. On the same day, the Senate urged the federal government to release emergency funds to enhance measures against Ebola and called for better health screening at entry points in the country.