The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council has accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of politicising Nigeria’s response to the Ebola outbreak.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Dele Alake, the council’s spokesperson, said the N10 billion approved by President Bola Tinubu in June for Ebola preparedness had not been spent.
Alake was responding to comments made on Wednesday by Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, who asked Tinubu to account for the N10 billion earmarked for Ebola preparedness.
“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 associating Tinubu with the Ebola situation risked turning a serious public health issue into an opportunity to ridicule the president.
He also accused Atiku’s camp of demonstrating a lack of understanding of the virus, particularly over why the infected Nigerian traveller was not identified upon arrival at Abuja airport.
According to Alake, Ebola has an incubation period of between two and 21 days, with symptoms typically appearing eight to 10 days after exposure.
He added that an infected person could not transmit the virus to others before developing symptoms.
Alake argued that the incubation period could explain why the traveller was not detected on arrival but sought medical attention days after exposure.
He further accused Atiku’s camp of engaging in what he described as political attacks instead of supporting public health authorities.
APC rejects claim on campaign rallies
Alake also criticised 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 claim as speculative, saying such a serious allegation required verifiable evidence, particularly during an election period.
The council’s spokesperson maintained that the press conference did not address campaign rallies but urged 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.”