Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to account for the N10 billion approved in June to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for Ebola and other emerging public health threats, following the confirmation of an Ebola case in Abuja.

Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, made the demand in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Director of Strategic Communications, Phrank Shaibu, questioning the government’s readiness to contain the disease and protect frontline health workers.

The development followed an announcement by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, that an Ebola case had been confirmed in Abuja, with 44 close contacts identified for tracing to prevent further transmission.

Atiku said the reported case had raised serious concerns about the implementation of the government’s emergency preparedness measures, particularly the management of the N10 billion intervention fund announced by the President.

“Ebola is a grave public health threat. Nigerians deserve urgent action, competent leadership and the truth,” he said.

He demanded that the Federal Government disclose the amount released, the dates of disbursement, contracts awarded, beneficiaries and the items delivered with the funds.

The former vice-president also urged Tinubu to explain why the money had not been released if the approved funding was yet to reach the relevant agencies.

“Tinubu must explain why he announced emergency funding that never reached the people responsible for protecting Nigerians. A press statement cannot replace an audit,” he said.

Atiku further questioned the timeline of the reported case, stating that the patient arrived in Nigeria on October 5, developed symptoms on October 7 and sought treatment at a private hospital on October 11.

He noted that the government did not publicly confirm the case until October 20, nine days after the patient reportedly sought medical attention.

According to Atiku, the interval raised concerns about the monitoring of the patient’s contacts and the adequacy of protective measures available to health workers who attended to the case.

He alleged that the 44 close contacts were not adequately monitored during the period and that private health workers involved in the patient’s care lacked sufficient protective equipment.

“This is a failure of preparedness with potentially grave consequences,” he said.

Atiku called for a comprehensive disclosure of the government’s response, including the procedures for screening the patient’s travel history and possible exposure, the follow-up actions taken after symptoms emerged, and when the identified contacts were first reached and placed under monitoring.

He also demanded explanations over the alleged lack of adequate protective equipment for frontline personnel, insisting that any shortcomings in the response should be investigated and those responsible held accountable.

The ADC chieftain also criticised the leadership structure of the government’s Ebola preparedness efforts, recalling that Tinubu announced a Presidential Task Force on Ebola preparedness and emerging public health threats in June, chaired by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

He argued that the response should be led by medical experts and public health professionals rather than driven primarily by political appointments.

“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,” he said.

Atiku warned that any failure to manage the public health threat effectively could heighten public anxiety and disrupt travel, livelihoods and economic activities.

He linked the concerns to the country’s existing economic difficulties, arguing that Nigerians should not suffer further because of an inadequate emergency response.

“The people must not pay twice for the same failure: first through hardship, then through a bungled emergency response. Both caused by Bola,” he said.

On June 9, Tinubu ordered the immediate release of N10 billion as emergency intervention funding to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness against Ebola and other emerging public health threats.

The directive followed Ebola outbreaks reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

In a statement announcing the decision, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu had also approved the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease preparedness and emerging public health threats.

According to Onanuga, the funding was intended to strengthen the operational preparedness of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and support critical national public health emergency response activities.

Atiku’s demand has intensified calls for transparency over the management of the emergency allocation, as attention remains focused on the government’s handling of the confirmed case and efforts to prevent further transmission.