The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said the 2027 general election could be considered for postponement if the ongoing Ebola outbreak spreads significantly across the country.
The Director-General of the agency, Jide Idris, disclosed this during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, while addressing concerns about the potential impact of the outbreak on the electoral process.
Idris, however, stressed that there was currently no justification for postponing the elections, expressing hope that the situation would not escalate to a level that could disrupt the electoral timetable.
He also dismissed concerns that the government might exploit the health crisis for political purposes, insisting that public health emergencies should not be used as political weapons.
According to him, Nigeria had been monitoring developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the Ebola outbreak was reported months ago, given the possibility of the virus spreading to the country through international travel and population movements.
He explained that Nigeria’s air traffic, movement of people and activities at its various ports of entry were among the factors considered in assessing the risk of the virus entering the country.
The NCDC chief maintained that any decision concerning the elections would depend on the severity and spread of the outbreak, rather than political considerations.
The development comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum, with aspirants and political parties beginning preparations for the polls expected to commence in January.
Nigeria’s public health authorities are expected to continue monitoring the Ebola situation and implementing measures to contain its spread.
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