he All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has countered allegations raised by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar regarding the federal government’s handling of public health funds.
In an official statement issued on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the campaign council clarified that the ₦10 billion emergency fund approved by President Bola Tinubu in June 2026 for Ebola preparedness remains entirely intact and unspent.
The ruling party stated that relevant health and surveillance agencies have drawn from existing operational budgets to maintain disease monitoring rather than tapping into the special allocation.
The response followed demands from Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, who publicly urged the presidency to publish disbursement details, recipient identities, and procurement records for the ₦10 billion fund after an Ebola case was detected in Abuja.
Atiku questioned the federal government’s level of national health preparedness, calling for full public accountability, immediate protection for health workers, and intensified contact tracing following the confirmation of the index case.
Refuting the opposition leader’s claims, the APC Campaign Council spokesperson, Dele Alake, asserted that Atiku’s allegations were politically motivated attempts to exploit a sensitive national health matter.
“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,” Alake stated.
The council defended the performance of national health agencies, noting that existing surveillance networks successfully flagged the index case—a Nigerian traveler returning from Uganda—and enabled contact tracing for 44 individuals who came into contact with the patient.
Addressing queries regarding how the traveler passed through border screening prior to testing positive at a private medical facility in Abuja, the ruling party explained that the situation must be evaluated considering the incubation period of the virus and the gradual onset of symptoms.
The ruling party also dismissed suggestions that government health briefings were intended to curtail political gatherings or campaign activities ahead of upcoming elections.
Emphasizing the need for bipartisan cooperation during national health situations, the campaign council urged opposition figures and the public to refrain from politicizing epidemiological risks and instead adhere to guidelines established by public health authorities.
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