ADC Council warns against alleged plot to postpone 2027 presidential election

Alleged plot to shift the 2027 presidential election

On 28 October 2026, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) released a statement accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to postpone Nigeria’s presidential election scheduled for 16 January 2027. The council said it had received information that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, would be summoned to the Presidential Villa and instructed to change the timetable. The allegation was made public before any meeting could take place.

The council’s Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, warned that the election date belongs to Nigerians and must not be rewritten behind closed doors. He urged Amupitan to refuse any instruction to shift the election and to make any such approach public immediately.

Background

The ADC PCC has long positioned itself as an opposition watchdog. In its statement, the council highlighted the economic hardship Nigerians have endured over the past three and a half years, citing rising prices and shrinking incomes. It argued that voters should be allowed to assess the current administration’s performance on the ballot box on 16 January.

The council also addressed the Ebola outbreak, describing it as a serious public health concern. The report added that the Director‑General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had said there was no current reason to delay the election. The ADC PCC warned that the health emergency should not be used as a political excuse to delay the vote.

Why it matters

The ADC PCC’s claim, if proven, would represent a significant attempt by the ruling party to alter the electoral timetable. The council warned that any such change would undermine public confidence in the electoral process. It urged INEC, domestic observers and international monitors to remain alert and to insist that any suggestion to alter the timetable be presented openly, backed by published health evidence, and subjected to public scrutiny.

The council’s statement also highlighted the need to let voters assess the incumbent administration. It suggested that the APC, led by President Tinubu, should face the electorate at the ballot box rather than seek additional time in office through a postponement.

What happens next

The ADC PCC has issued a public notice to INEC and observers, demanding that any attempt to shift the election be rejected. The council has not provided evidence to substantiate its claims, and no official response from INEC or the APC has been reported in the sources. The situation remains unresolved, with the election still scheduled for 16 January 2027.