The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has warned that reports of pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to shift the January 16 presidential election, just 80 days away, cannot be dismissed.
In a statement, ADC-PCC Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said if President Bola 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 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. President Tinubu must abandon any such attempt. 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 at the Villa," Shaibu said.
"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. A government that has made life this difficult for Nigerians must not be allowed to postpone its day of judgment."
"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 Council puts INEC, domestic observers and international election monitors on notice: any proposal to change the timetable must be made openly, supported by published health evidence and subjected to public scrutiny. The Presidency must not use a health emergency to escape an electoral verdict."
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