The Presidential Campaign Council of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has claimed there are plans to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into postponing the January 16 presidential election. The party issued a stern warning against using the Ebola outbreak as a political justification to delay the scheduled vote.
In a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, on Wednesday, the council said it had received information that INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, would be instructed to change the election date.
“The Council has received information that the INEC Chairman is to be summoned to the Presidential Villa and instructed to shift the election. We are raising the alarm before that meeting takes place.
“Professor Joash Amupitan must refuse any instruction to change the timetable and immediately make any such approach public. The election date belongs to Nigerians. It must not be rewritten behind closed doors,” it added.
The ADC campaign council said Nigerians had endured rising prices, declining incomes and economic hardship over the past three and a half years, insisting that voters should be allowed to assess the administration at the ballot box on January 16.
On the Ebola outbreak, the council acknowledged the public health risks but warned against using the situation as a political justification for postponing 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 council also cited the position it attributed to the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), saying there was currently no reason to postpone the election.
“The NCDC Director-General has said there is currently no reason to postpone the election. That position must not be twisted into a political excuse for delay,” the statement added.
The ADC campaign council called on INEC, domestic observers and international election monitors to scrutinise any proposal to alter the timetable, insisting that any decision must be transparent and backed by published health evidence.
What You Should Know
The ADC is concerned that there is a secret move to force the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to change the date of the upcoming presidential election. The party believes Nigerians are eager to vote on January 16 to express their views on the current state of the economy and national welfare.
- Democratic Stability: Keeping the original election date ensures that the democratic process remains transparent and predictable for all citizens.
- Public Health Concerns: While the Ebola outbreak is a serious issue, the NCDC has stated there is currently no medical reason to stop the election, though strict safety measures will be necessary.
- Potential Risks: Any sudden change to the election timetable could lead to political tension, uncertainty, and a lack of trust in the electoral system.
