The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has warned against any attempt to delay the January 16, 2027, presidential election over Nigeria’s Ebola outbreak, alleging that political interests could exploit the public health situation to alter the electoral timetable.
The council raised concerns that President Bola Tinubu might seek to influence the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the poll, although it provided no evidence that such a move was being planned.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the council’s Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, urged INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to resist any pressure to change the election date.
The council insisted that the timetable should not be altered through private political arrangements, arguing that Nigerians had a right to vote as scheduled.
“The election date belongs to Nigerians. It must not be rewritten behind closed doors at the Villa,” the council said.
It also challenged Tinubu to seek another presidential term through the electoral process rather than benefit from a postponement that could prolong his administration.
“If President Tinubu believes Nigerians want another four years of his government, he should face them at the ballot box, not seek more time through the back door,” the statement added.
The ADC campaign council linked its concerns to the economic difficulties Nigerians have faced, including rising living costs and declining purchasing power.
It argued that the scheduled election would give voters an opportunity to evaluate the government’s performance.
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While acknowledging the risks associated with Ebola, the council said the outbreak should be managed through appropriate public health measures rather than used as a justification for delaying the election.
“Ebola is a serious public health concern. Health professionals must be free to contain it, and INEC must take every necessary step to protect voters and election workers,” it said.
The ADC council also claimed that the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control had indicated that there was no current justification for postponing the poll.
It called on INEC to safeguard voters and election personnel while retaining the announced timetable. It further urged local and international election observers to monitor any proposal to change the date and demand publicly available evidence to support such a decision.
“The presidency must not use a health emergency to escape an electoral verdict,” it said.
However, the statement did not establish that Tinubu had invited Amupitan to the Presidential Villa or that the Presidency had formally requested a postponement. Neither the Presidency nor INEC was quoted as responding to the allegation.
The council maintained that any decision affecting the January 16, 2027, election must be justified by verifiable circumstances and handled transparently.