ABUJA, NIGERIA — The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has raised the alarm over an alleged plan to summon the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The council alleged that the proposed meeting was intended to pressure the INEC chairman to postpone the January 16 presidential election. It warned President Bola Tinubu against any attempt to delay the poll.
The Allegation
The statement was signed by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council. The party said it had received information suggesting that the INEC chairman would be summoned to Aso Rock and instructed to shift the election date.
The council said it was raising the alarm before the alleged meeting could take place. It insisted that the election must proceed as scheduled unless there was a transparent and publicly justified reason for any change.
The statement was titled “Tinubu Must Face Nigerians at the Ballot Box, Not Hide Behind Ebola.” It accused the President of potentially seeking additional time in office rather than allowing Nigerians to decide the fate of his administration.
“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 council said.
Call on INEC
The ADC maintained that the January 16 election date should not be altered through private discussions at the Presidential Villa. It stressed that Nigerians had the right to decide whether the Tinubu administration deserved another term.
It called on the President to abandon any alleged attempt to influence INEC to postpone the election. It also urged Amupitan to resist any pressure to change the timetable.
“Professor Joash Amupitan must refuse any instruction to change the timetable and immediately make any such approach public,” the statement said.
The council added that the election date belonged to Nigerians. It said it should not be changed behind closed doors without public explanation or proper justification.
“The election date belongs to Nigerians. It must not be rewritten behind closed doors at the Villa,” it stated.
Economic Hardship
The opposition party argued that Nigerians had endured significant economic hardship under the current administration. It cited rising prices, declining purchasing power, and the increasing difficulty faced by households and businesses.
According to the council, the electorate should be allowed to assess the government’s performance and make their decision at the ballot box on the scheduled election date.
“Nigerians have endured three and a half years of soaring prices, shrinking incomes and relentless hardship. They have the right to judge this government at the ballot box on 16 January,” the statement said.
The ADC further argued that postponing the election would deny citizens the opportunity to hold the administration accountable for its policies and economic decisions.
“A government that has made life this difficult for Nigerians must not be allowed to postpone its day of judgment,” it added.
Ebola Concern
The council’s statement also addressed concerns about Ebola. It acknowledged that the disease was a serious public health issue. But it warned against using a health emergency as a justification for delaying the election.
It said health authorities should be allowed to take all necessary measures to contain the disease. It also said INEC should implement appropriate safeguards to protect voters and election workers.
The council cited the position of the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. It said the DG had indicated that there was currently no reason to postpone the election.
According to the ADC, public health concerns should be handled based on professional advice and credible medical evidence rather than political considerations.
“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. 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 said.
What This Means
The allegation is a serious one. It raises questions about the independence of INEC and the integrity of the electoral process.
The ADC’s statement is likely to heighten political tension ahead of the 2027 elections. It also puts pressure on INEC to demonstrate its neutrality.
What Happens Next
INEC has not yet responded to the allegation. The Presidency has also not issued a statement.
For now, the focus is on ensuring that the election holds as scheduled. The coming weeks will reveal whether the allegations have any substance.
