APC PCC Urges Atiku to Avoid Politicizing Ebola Outbreak Response

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) has advised Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to stop using the Ebola outbreak to gain political advantage. This warning came after Atiku’s media aide criticized the government’s handling of the situation.

Dele Alake, a spokesperson for the APC-PCC, issued the statement on Thursday night. He responded to claims made by Atiku’s camp regarding a ₦10 billion emergency fund set aside last June to manage the Ebola outbreak. Atiku’s team questioned how this money was spent, especially after a confirmed case was reported in Abuja.

Atiku’s statement suggested that there were significant failures in monitoring and protecting health workers. He mentioned that a patient arrived in Nigeria on October 5, showed symptoms by October 7, and sought treatment on October 11, but the government did not confirm the case until October 20.

In response, Alake clarified that the ₦10 billion fund remains untouched. He noted that agencies like the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) have been using other resources for their operations. Alake explained that the incubation period for Ebola can range from 2 to 21 days, meaning it took time for the infected individual to show symptoms and seek help.

The APC-PCC urged Atiku and his team to stop spreading rumors and allow health authorities to do their work. They emphasized that public health should not be politicized and that all Nigerians should support the efforts to prevent Ebola from spreading further.

Alake concluded by calling for responsible communication and cooperation among all parties to ensure public safety during this health crisis.