ADC Alleges Plot to Summon INEC Chairman to Aso Rock, Postpone Election

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council has raised the alarm over an alleged plan to summon the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to the Presidential Villa in Abuja and pressure him to postpone the January 16 presidential election.

The council alleged that the proposed meeting was intended to influence the electoral umpire to change the election timetable, warning President Bola Tinubu against any attempt to delay the poll.

In a statement 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, insisting that the election must proceed as scheduled unless there was a transparent and publicly justified reason for any change.

Titled “Tinubu Must Face Nigerians at the Ballot Box, Not Hide Behind Ebola,” the statement accused the President of potentially seeking additional time in office rather than allowing Nigerians to decide the fate of his administration through the ballot box.

“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.

The ADC maintained that the January 16 election date should not be altered through private discussions at the Presidential Villa, stressing that Nigerians had the right to decide whether the Tinubu administration deserved another term.

It also called on the President to abandon any alleged attempt to influence INEC to postpone the election, urging 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 and 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.

The opposition party argued that Nigerians had endured significant economic hardship under the current administration, citing 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.

The council’s statement also addressed concerns about Ebola, acknowledging that the disease was a serious public health issue but warning 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, while INEC should implement appropriate safeguards to protect voters and election workers during the electoral process.

The council cited the position of the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), who it said 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 statement said.

“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,” it added.

The party called on INEC, domestic election observers and international monitoring organisations to pay close attention to any proposal that could lead to a change in the election timetable.

It insisted that any decision to postpone the election must be made openly, supported by published health evidence and subjected to public scrutiny.

“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 statement said.

The ADC also warned the Presidency against exploiting a public health emergency to avoid an electoral contest, insisting that the government must allow voters to determine its political future.

“The Presidency must not use a health emergency to escape an electoral verdict,” the council stated.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recently raised concern over the proposed borrowing by the Federal Government’s proposed external borrowing ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku, who is the ADC’s presidential candidate, recently accused the administration of potentially using fresh external loans to finance political activities ahead of the elections.

His allegation followed President Tinubu’s request for legislative approval to borrow $20.52 billion and €1.045 billion through external loan facilities.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, through Shaibu, Atiku said the proposed borrowing had reinforced his earlier warning that the administration was preparing to obtain substantial loans linked to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

Atiku expressed concern that the government had not provided sufficient details about the specific projects to be financed, including their costs, locations, contractors and repayment obligations.

He argued that Nigerians deserved to know how the proposed loans would be spent and whether the borrowing would serve the public interest.

“On October 12, I warned Nigerians that President Tinubu was reportedly preparing to borrow up to $20 billion in connection with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. I asked him to confirm or deny the plan and publish the accounts. He did neither. Today, he has asked the Senate to approve $20.52 billion and €1.045 billion in external loans. My warning has been vindicated,” Atiku said.