BOLA AND EBOLA: WHERE DID THE ₦10 BILLION GO? — ATIKU Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the Tinubu administration’s failure to account for the ₦10 billion approved for Ebola preparedness, saying the confirmed case in Abuja has exposed a dangerous breakdown in the government’s response. He also warned against using the outbreak to suppress political activity and discourage Nigerians from voting. In a statement by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said: “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. “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. “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 government must disclose what happened at every stage. What travel history and exposure screening were conducted? What follow-up began when the patient developed symptoms? When were the 44 contacts first reached and monitored? Why were frontline staff left without the protection they needed? Nigerians deserve answers, and those responsible for these failures must be held accountable. “In June, Tinubu announced a Presidential Task Force chaired by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Today, Nigerians must ask whether political appointees have been allowed to overshadow the medical experts who should lead this response. 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. “Nigerians are already battling the economic hardship created by Tinubu’s policies. Now the government’s failure to prepare and respond threatens to deepen public anxiety and disrupt movement, livelihoods and economic activity. The people must not pay twice for the same failure: first through hardship, then through a bungled emergency response. Both caused by Bola. “I am also alarmed by confirmed information that the Minister of Health’s press conference tomorrow is intended to discourage Nigerians from attending campaign rallies and, ultimately, from voting. It is ridiculous that the same Minister of Health, whose entire ministry was funded with N35 million disbursement in 2025 appropriation and was not involved in the Ebola prevention programme is now being promoted to make health emergency announcements.

The confirmed case of Ebola in the Federal Capital Territory is deeply concerning. My thoughts are with the patient, and I commend the health professionals working with urgency to contain the infection and protect the public. In a moment like this, Nigerians deserve calm, clear information and decisive action. I urge the authorities to sustain contact tracing, support those affected and protect the frontline workers risking their own safety to care for others. I call on every Nigerian to follow the guidance of health experts and share only verified information. The media has an important role in informing the public responsibly and helping prevent fear and misinformation. Let us stand together, support our health workers and do everything necessary to contain this case swiftly. The safety of every Nigerian must remain our shared priority. -AA