The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of deflecting attention from questions over the Federal Government’s Ebola preparedness funds, challenging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to explain the whereabouts of ₦10 billion reportedly ordered released for emergency response.
Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, levelled the accusation in a statement issued on Friday, October 23, 2026, following the APC’s response to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s demand for accountability over the funds amid the confirmed Ebola Virus Disease case in Abuja.
Taking a swipe at the ruling party, Shaibu said the APC had focused on the similarity between the words “Bola” and “Ebola” instead of addressing questions about the money and the government’s preparedness.
“The APC only found a rhyme in Bola and Ebola,” Shaibu declared, accusing the ruling party of turning a public health emergency into a political exchange while failing to provide documentary evidence accounting for the funds.
He argued that Nigerians deserved answers about the emergency response rather than political rhetoric, particularly as the confirmed case had heightened public concern over the country’s preparedness.
According to Shaibu, the Presidency announced on June 9 that Tinubu had ordered the immediate release of ₦10 billion for Ebola emergency preparedness. He said the APC’s subsequent claim that the money remained “untouched” raised serious questions about whether the funds had been released, where they were being held and why they had not been deployed.
“If it was released, where is it held, who controls it, and why has it not been used for the preparedness President Tinubu announced?” he asked.
“If it was never released, why was an order for its immediate release announced in June?”
The ADC campaign spokesman demanded that the government publish the release documents, relevant account records and the expenditure reports of the Presidential Task Force responsible for the response.
“Insulting Atiku Abubakar will not account for one naira,” Shaibu said, insisting that the government should settle the controversy through verifiable records rather than political exchanges.
ADC Demands Answers On Ebola Response Timeline
Beyond the disputed funds, Shaibu questioned the timeline of the government’s response to the confirmed infection, demanding clarity on when Ebola was first suspected, when public health authorities were alerted and when testing and contact tracing began.
He cited an account attributed to the World Health Organisation indicating that the patient developed symptoms on October 7, sought care at a private health facility on October 11 and received laboratory confirmation on October 20.
The ADC spokesman challenged the government to explain the sequence of events between the onset of symptoms and laboratory confirmation.
“When was Ebola first suspected? When were public health authorities alerted? When was testing ordered? When did contact tracing begin?” he asked.
Shaibu also challenged the APC to substantiate its claim that surveillance systems had alerted the government to the case.
“Then publish the timeline. Name the agency that raised the alert, give the date and explain the action taken,” he said.
He noted that the 44 identified contacts referenced in the statement required effective monitoring and protection, arguing that the government should prioritise public safety over political point-scoring.
The campaign spokesman also stressed that healthcare workers involved in treating the patient and tracing contacts needed adequate protective equipment, resources and support to carry out their duties.
“Questioning the government’s preparedness is no insult to them,” he said, adding that Nigerians deserved transparency over the funds reportedly earmarked for emergency preparedness.
Atiku Camp Warns Against Politicising Health Emergency
Shaibu further urged the government to ensure that public health measures were not used as political instruments, particularly in relation to campaigning and voting.
He called on the administration to publish any proposed restrictions, their medical justification and the advice of relevant health authorities.
“Public health guidance must protect people. It must never become a political tool,” he said.
He maintained that the central issue was whether the ₦10 billion announced for Ebola preparedness had been released and, if so, how it had been managed.
“President Tinubu ordered ₦10 billion released in June. His party now says it is untouched. That contradiction came from the Presidency and the APC. They should resolve it with records,” Shaibu said.
He urged the Federal Government to account for the funds, explain the response timeline, protect healthcare workers and ensure that all identified contacts received appropriate monitoring.
“Show Nigerians where the money is. Explain the response timeline. Protect health workers. Trace every contact,” he said.
The ADC Presidential Campaign Council’s statement was signed by Shaibu, who insisted that the government owed Nigerians documentary evidence and clear answers about its Ebola preparedness measures.
Editorial note: The allegations about the ₦10 billion, the claim that the funds remain untouched and the response timeline are attributed to Shaibu and the statement he cited. They have not been independently verified here. Before publication, confirm the precise wording of the APC’s response and the WHO account, and seek the Federal Government’s response to the funding allegations.
