The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Campaign Council has rejected claims that the federal government intends to shift the Jan 16, 2024 presidential election, warning President Bola Tinubu against any attempt to alter the schedule, while the House of Representatives has mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission to appear before a legislative committee to detail its readiness for the 2027 polls.
What did the ADC‑PCC allege?
The council said it received intelligence that INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan would be summoned to the Presidential Villa and instructed to change the election timetable, despite only 80 days remaining to the poll. In a statement, Director of Strategic Communication Phrank Shaibu urged Tinubu to abandon any such move and demanded that any instruction to modify the date be made public.
How did the Presidency respond?
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, speaking for the government, declared the allegations “fake news” and affirmed that no plan exists to postpone or reschedule the election. “The federal government is not planning to shift the date of the election or postpone any election. This is not in the works; the federal government is unaware of this, and this is just fake news as far as we are concerned,” he said.
What health concerns were raised?
The ADC‑PCC acknowledged the Ebola outbreak as a serious public‑health issue but cited the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s director‑general, who stated there is no justification to delay the vote. The council warned against using the health emergency as a political pretext and called on INEC, domestic observers, and international monitors to ensure any timetable change be transparent, evidence‑based, and subject to public scrutiny.
What action did the House of Representatives take?
Separately, the lower chamber passed a resolution compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to appear before its committee within seven legislative days and provide a comprehensive status report on preparations for the 2027 general elections. The motion, sponsored by Mansur Manu Soro and Abdussamad Dasuki, seeks details on voter registration, PVC production and distribution, election logistics, technology deployment, staff recruitment and training, security arrangements, risk assessments, and funding.
Lawmakers highlighted reports from civic registration (CVR) centres indicating shortages of registration equipment, limited staff, network glitches, long waiting times, and a surge in citizens seeking to register or update their records. They warned that such gaps could disenfranchise first‑time voters, rural dwellers, persons with disabilities, students, and workers, potentially eroding confidence in the electoral process.
The committee’s briefing is expected to cover budget allocations, released funds, outstanding disbursements, and the impact of any financing shortfalls on the commission’s ability to conduct free, fair, and credible elections. The House also noted that lessons from the recently concluded Ekiti State governorship election—particularly in technology use, logistics management, and stakeholder engagement—should inform preparations for the 2027 polls.
At the time of writing, INEC had not issued a response to either the ADC‑PCC’s allegations or the House’s resolution.