The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has raised concerns over an alleged move to influence the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the January 16, 2027, presidential election, warning President Bola Tinubu against using the Ebola outbreak as a reason to alter the electoral timetable.
The opposition campaign council said any attempt to delay the election for political reasons would undermine democratic accountability and deny Nigerians the opportunity to determine the country’s political direction at the scheduled polls.
In a statement signed by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, the group alleged that pressure might be mounting on the electoral commission to reconsider the date of the presidential election, which it said was approximately 80 days away at the time of its statement.
The council expressed particular concern over information it claimed to have received regarding a possible meeting between INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and officials at the Presidential Villa.
According to the statement, there were indications that the INEC chairman could be summoned to the Villa and instructed to shift the election date.
However, the council did not provide independent evidence establishing that such a meeting had been scheduled or that any directive had been issued.
Raising the alarm over the allegation, the ADC-PCC called on the electoral commission to protect its independence and resist any attempt to change the election timetable outside a transparent and legally justified process.
The council urged Amupitan to make any alleged approach public if efforts were made to influence his decisions concerning the election.
It maintained that decisions affecting the electoral calendar should not emerge from undisclosed political discussions but should follow established procedures and be supported by credible evidence.
ADC says Tinubu should face voters
The opposition group argued that the forthcoming election would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to assess the performance of the Tinubu administration and decide whether it deserves another four-year term.
According to the council, the government should be prepared to defend its record before voters rather than seek an extension of its time in office through a postponement of the election.
The statement pointed to the economic difficulties experienced by many Nigerians, including rising living costs, reduced purchasing power and pressure on household incomes.
It argued that citizens had endured significant hardship during the administration’s tenure and should be allowed to express their opinions through the ballot box on the scheduled election date.
The council warned that any unjustified postponement could deepen public suspicion about the government’s intentions and raise questions about its commitment to democratic principles.
“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 said.
The ADC-PCC further maintained that the electoral process must remain open, credible and free from political interference, particularly as preparations intensify for the 2027 presidential contest.
Council acknowledges public health concerns
While opposing what it described as a possible attempt to delay the election, the council acknowledged that the Ebola outbreak required serious attention from health authorities and other relevant institutions.
It said the protection of public health should remain a priority, urging medical professionals and agencies responsible for disease surveillance and containment to take all necessary steps to prevent further transmission.
The group also recognised the need for INEC to establish appropriate health and safety measures for voters, electoral officials and other personnel who would participate in the election.
However, it insisted that the existence of a public health emergency should not automatically become grounds for postponing a national election without a clear assessment of the risks involved.
The council referred to a reported position by the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), who it said had indicated that there was no current reason to postpone the election because of the outbreak.
It warned that the health agency’s position should not be misrepresented or used to justify a political decision unsupported by medical evidence.
The council’s position was that decisions about public health risks should be guided by expert assessments, with any implications for election arrangements explained openly to Nigerians.
INEC, election observers urged to remain vigilant
The ADC-PCC called on INEC to maintain its independence and demonstrate that its decisions concerning the 2027 election would be guided by the law and the interests of the electorate.
It also urged domestic election observers and international monitoring organisations to pay close attention to developments that could affect the scheduled poll.
According to the council, any proposal to change the election date should be formally presented, backed by published health evidence and subjected to public scrutiny.
The group argued that Nigerians deserved clear explanations for any proposed alteration to the timetable, particularly if such a decision was linked to the Ebola outbreak.
It warned that a lack of transparency could fuel speculation, weaken public confidence in electoral institutions and create unnecessary controversy ahead of the presidential contest.
The council also stressed the importance of ensuring that public health considerations were not allowed to overshadow the constitutional rights of citizens to participate in the democratic process.
It maintained that the relevant authorities should explore appropriate safety arrangements while allowing election preparations to continue, subject to credible assessments by competent public health professionals.
ADC warns against politicising ebola outbreak
The campaign council concluded that the Ebola outbreak should be handled as a public health matter rather than used as a political instrument.
It argued that protecting Nigerians from disease and preserving the integrity of the electoral process were responsibilities that could be pursued simultaneously, provided decisions were based on credible evidence and proper planning.
The council warned the Presidency against any action that might create the impression that a public health emergency was being exploited to influence the timing of the election.
“The Presidency must not use a health emergency to escape an electoral verdict,” the statement added.
The allegations have placed renewed attention on the importance of transparency, electoral independence and public confidence as Nigeria approaches the 2027 presidential election.
However, the claims concerning alleged pressure on INEC and a possible meeting at the Presidential Villa remain allegations contained in the ADC-PCC statement.
The information provided does not independently establish that the reported meeting or any attempt to postpone the election has occurred.
About The Author
