Spread the word
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has warned the Federal Government against using Nigeria’s Ebola response to restrict political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sowore raised concerns over the possibility of the reported Ebola case being exploited for political purposes, insisting that public health emergencies must not become a justification for limiting citizens’ constitutional freedoms.
The activist and politician made the remarks in a statement posted on his X account while reacting to reports of an Ebola case in Nigeria and questions surrounding the country’s preparedness to contain the disease.
He linked his concerns to the forthcoming 2027 elections, alleging that President Bola Tinubu could seek to exploit the situation to restrict political activities.
“I firmly believe he knows he cannot win a genuinely free and fair electoral contest,” Sowore said, referring to Tinubu.
He warned that any measures introduced to contain the disease must be guided by public health considerations and should not interfere with Nigerians’ right to participate in democratic processes.
According to him, the government must ensure that the response to the reported health emergency remains focused on protecting lives rather than creating conditions that could limit political engagement.
Questions Nigeria’s communication with Uganda
Sowore also questioned Nigeria’s communication with Ugandan authorities over reports that the woman diagnosed with Ebola had transited through Uganda after visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He raised concerns about the alleged delay in sharing information concerning the woman’s travel history and medical background, arguing that timely communication was essential for effective disease surveillance and international cooperation.
The AAC presidential candidate called for greater transparency from the relevant authorities, particularly regarding information that could help health officials identify people who might have been exposed to the virus.
Effective communication between countries is important in responding to infectious disease threats, especially when suspected cases involve international travel.
Sowore’s comments highlighted concerns about the handling of information and the need for public health agencies to coordinate their activities to prevent further transmission.
However, the allegations concerning delays in communication and the handling of the case were raised by Sowore and were not independently established in the statement.
Challenges appointment of Ebola task force leader
The politician also questioned the reported appointment of Femi Gbajabiamila to lead Nigeria’s Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness.
He argued that qualified public health professionals should play a central role in coordinating the country’s response to the disease.
Sowore’s position was that the management of a public health emergency required appropriate medical and technical expertise, particularly in areas such as disease surveillance, infection prevention, contact tracing and treatment.
He called for a response structure capable of providing Nigerians with accurate information while ensuring that suspected and confirmed cases receive appropriate medical attention.
The reported appointment also formed part of his wider criticism of how the government was approaching the Ebola preparedness effort.
Calls for transparency and proper medical care
Sowore urged the authorities to prioritise transparent communication, effective contact tracing and access to proper medical care in managing the reported case.
He maintained that the protection of public health should remain the primary objective of the government’s response, warning against any attempt to use the situation to undermine democratic freedoms.
“Public health must protect lives, not become an instrument of political control,” he said.
His comments come as political parties and their candidates prepare for the 2027 general elections, with concerns about electoral participation, political freedoms and the conduct of the polls expected to feature prominently in public debate.
While governments may introduce necessary public health measures during disease outbreaks, such measures should be based on medical evidence, applied transparently and implemented in accordance with the law.
Sowore’s intervention has therefore brought attention to the need to balance disease prevention with the protection of civil liberties, even as questions surrounding Nigeria’s Ebola preparedness and international coordination remain central to the response.
Spread the word