Key Takeaways
- The ADC Presidential Campaign Council warned President Bola Tinubu against postponing the January 16, 2027, presidential election over the Ebola outbreak.
- The council alleged that INEC Chairman Prof Joash Amupitan could face pressure to change the date, but provided no evidence of any planned intervention.
- The council urged INEC to protect voters and election workers, maintain the announced date and support any postponement with publicly available health evidence.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has warned President Bola Tinubu against any move to postpone the January 16, 2027, presidential election, insisting that the Ebola outbreak must not be used as an excuse to delay the poll.
The council alleged that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Amupitan, could be summoned to the Presidential Villa and pressured to change the election date.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the council’s Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, urged Amupitan to resist any pressure to alter the electoral timetable.
“The election date belongs to Nigerians. It must not be rewritten behind closed doors at the Villa,” the council said.
The ADC campaign council also challenged Tinubu to seek another term through the ballot box rather than benefit from any postponement of the election.
“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 opposition campaign council argued that Nigerians should be allowed to decide the fate of the current administration at the polls after three and a half years of rising prices, reduced purchasing power and economic hardship.
It warned that changing the election date without a strong and clearly explained reason could weaken public confidence in the electoral process.
