2027: Opposition Apprehensive Over Alleged Plans To Shift Election Dates

There is palpable apprehension throughout the opposition camps over alleged plans by the Bola Tinubu administration to shift election dates already scheduled for the 2027 elections.

Going by the timetable and pointers launched by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, whereas the governorship and state meeting elections are billed to carry on February 6, 2027.

The opposition, nonetheless, alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was planning to latch on to the present fears over the Ebola outbreak to shift the ballot dates.

Raising the alarm on Wednesday, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) alleged a plot to stress INEC into shifting the election dates, warning President Tinubu in opposition to “evading an electoral verdict.”

The marketing campaign council claimed it acquired data that INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, may very well be summoned to the Presidential Villa and directed to change the election timetable, with solely 80 days to the ballot.

In a press release by its Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the ADC-PCC urged Tinubu to perish any such thought and referred to as on Amupitan to reject and publicly disclose any try to alter the election dates.

“The election date belongs to Nigerians. It must not be rewritten behind closed doors at the Villa,” the council stated.

It argued that Nigerians should be allowed to carry the Tinubu administration accountable on the poll field after three and a half years of rising costs, shrinking incomes and financial hardship.

“A government that has made life this difficult for Nigerians must not be allowed to postpone its day of judgement,” it added.

While acknowledging the Ebola outbreak as a severe public well being concern, the council stated well being authorities ought to concentrate on containing the illness whereas INEC takes measures to guard voters and election employees.

Citing the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s (NCDC) place that there was no present justification for suspending the election, the ADC-PCC warned in opposition to exploiting the well being emergency for political functions.

It additionally urged INEC, home observers and worldwide displays to scrutinise any proposal to change the timetable, insisting that such a transfer should be publicly introduced and supported by printed well being proof.

“The Presidency must not use a health emergency to escape an electoral verdict,” the marketing campaign council stated.