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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed questions raised by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over the Federal Government’s ₦10 billion Ebola emergency fund, maintaining that the money has not been utilised.
The party’s response followed Atiku’s call for a detailed account of the allocation amid concerns over Nigeria’s preparedness to contain the Ebola virus following the confirmation of an infected traveller who returned from Uganda.
The former vice-president had questioned the transparency surrounding the funds, requesting information on expenditure, contracts, payments and the materials procured to strengthen the country’s disease-control system.
However, the APC Presidential Campaign Council accused Atiku of politicising a public health emergency. Its spokesperson, Dele Alake, argued that the government’s handling of the situation should be assessed based on the actions of relevant health authorities rather than political criticism.
Alake said the funds remained untouched, adding that agencies responsible for disease surveillance and emergency response had continued working to monitor the situation and prevent further transmission.
He also defended the government’s handling of the infected traveller, pointing to Ebola’s incubation period of between two and 21 days. According to him, the timing of symptom development can affect when an infected person is identified, making surveillance and contact tracing essential.
The APC representative further cited efforts to identify individuals who had contact with the patient, stating that 44 people were being monitored as part of measures to contain the potential spread of the disease.
The controversy has brought renewed attention to the management of emergency health funding and the need for public accountability. While Atiku is seeking detailed financial disclosures, the APC has insisted that the allocation remains unspent and criticised the opposition figure’s interpretation of the government’s response.
