Eniola Yekini
The All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Campaign Council has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of disrespecting the office of the President over his recent statement on the Ebola public health issue.
In a press release signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the Council said Atiku’s statement opened with a title linking President Bola Tinubu’s first name to Ebola and questioning how the Presidential Task Force spent the N10 billion approved for the emergency.
“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar continues to foul up the political arena, with statement after statement dripping with insult and disrespect to the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Alake said.
“We believe linking and rhyming President Bola Tinubu’s name to Ebola only risks turning a serious health concern into a vehicle to ridicule the President of the Federal Republic,” he said.
The Council said the former vice president’s statement showed ignorance about the virus and why the traveller from Uganda was not detected on arrival at the Abuja airport.
Alake explained that for anyone infected with the virus, the incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days, with symptoms typically appearing 8 to 10 days after exposure, adding that an infected person cannot spread or transmit Ebola until they develop symptoms.
On accountability, the Council said the N10 billion approved by the President for the Ebola emergency in June remains untouched.
“The N10 billion the President approved for the Ebola emergency in June remains untouched, while the NCDC, FAAN, and other surveillance agencies have spent other available resources,” Alake said.
He said the agencies deserve commendation for mounting robust surveillance at entry points and for tipping off the government about the index case which led to contact tracing of 44 contacts.
The Council also dismissed Atiku’s allegation that a ministerial briefing was intended to discourage attendance at campaign rallies.
“We consider his allegation that a ministerial briefing is intended to discourage attendance at campaign rallies or voting speculative,” Alake said.
The Campaign Council advised the former vice president to avoid politicising public health issues.
“We advise Atiku Abubakar and his hirelings to avoid politicising public health issues. A time like this demands that all Nigerians, including the opposition, rally around the health authorities and professionals,” he said.