Political parties have rejected calls for a blanket suspension of campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections over Nigeria’s reported Ebola case, insisting that preventive measures and clear public health guidelines should guide their activities.
While the All Progressives Congress (APC) urged Nigerians to avoid politicising the outbreak, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) expressed concern that the Federal Government could use the situation to restrict opposition campaigns.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) also opposed an outright suspension, advocating stronger disease surveillance and safer campaign strategies.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, had said there was no immediate need to cancel political campaigns, conferences or other large public gatherings following the reported case.
The APC National Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, urged Nigerians to remain calm, noting that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Prevention and the Federal Ministry of Health had issued advisories on the outbreak.
He cautioned against turning the health situation into a political controversy, warning that such actions could trigger unnecessary panic and confusion.
“Let us not take the matter to the political arena where there will be panic, and there will be fear and confusion in the country,” Ibrahim said.
However, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said any restrictions on political activities must be justified by transparent public health considerations.
He expressed concern that the government might use the outbreak to limit opposition campaigns, particularly after President Bola Tinubu indicated that he would be unable to campaign.
“The health of Nigerians should be the priority for everyone, but we also have to be very careful that we don’t create a situation for political opportunism,” Abdullahi said.
He added that political parties would seek clarification if the government advised them to suspend their campaigns.
Similarly, the SDP National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Araba, opposed a blanket suspension, arguing that candidates needed to reach voters and present their manifestos while observing appropriate safety measures.
The NDC also called for adjustments to campaign activities rather than an outright ban.
Its Lagos State Publicity Secretary, Olushile Akinyemi, said campaigns could continue through measures designed to minimise physical contact and reduce the risk of transmission.
“Campaigns should continue under strict safety protocols, and not be halted abruptly,” he said.
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