The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has alleged a plan to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission to postpone the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
The council, in a statement by its Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, alleged that INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, could be summoned to the Presidential Villa and asked to change the election timetable.
The ADC urged President Bola Tinubu to abandon any such move and called on Amupitan to reject any instruction to alter the election date.
“The election date belongs to Nigerians. It must not be rewritten behind closed doors at the Villa,” the council said.
The opposition campaign council linked its concern to the Ebola outbreak, saying the health emergency must not be used as a reason to delay 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 also cited the position it attributed to the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control that there was currently no reason to postpone the election.
It urged INEC, domestic observers and international election monitors to ensure that any proposal to change the timetable is made publicly and supported by verifiable health evidence.
The council further challenged Tinubu to face Nigerians at the ballot box if he believes the electorate wants him to continue in office.
“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 allegation has not been independently substantiated, and the reports cited did not include a response from the Presidency or INEC.
