The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr. Jide Idris, has stated that there is currently no basis for postponing the 2027 general elections due to concerns over Ebola, while cautioning that a widespread outbreak could pose public health challenges that may affect electoral activities.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Monday, Idris said Nigeria’s present situation does not warrant any consideration of delaying the polls.
“We hope not, because if the outbreak becomes widespread enough, there could be concerns. As it stands now, there is no need for that,” he said when asked whether Ebola could lead to a postponement of the 2027 elections.
The NCDC chief emphasized that any decision regarding the postponement of elections falls outside the mandate of the public health agency. He also firmly dismissed suggestions that the government could deploy public health concerns as a political tool ahead of the polls.
“We in the health sector will not use disease-related issues as a political weapon,” Idris stated.
He disclosed that Nigerian health authorities have closely monitored developments surrounding the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for several months, noting that international travel and population movement had always raised the possibility of an imported case.
Idris further cautioned against prematurely declaring Nigeria Ebola-free following the evacuation of the index patient to Switzerland for advanced medical care.
“We do not currently have an active positive case, but we still have contacts that must be monitored and followed up,” he said.
According to him, health officials will continue contact tracing efforts and investigate other possible exposures to ensure that the situation remains under control.
His remarks come amid growing political debate over the handling of Ebola preparedness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On October 22, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide a detailed account of the N10 billion approved for Ebola preparedness, including information on its release and utilization.
In response, the APC Campaign Council accused Atiku of politicising the country’s Ebola response, maintaining that the approved funds had not been spent.
However, Atiku challenged the council’s position and questioned why the money had remained untouched since approval was granted.
The controversy has sparked broader concerns among political observers, with some expressing fears that public health measures could potentially become a subject of political contention, affecting opposition campaigns or voter participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Despite the ongoing debate, Idris maintained that the health sector’s priority remains disease surveillance, prevention, and public safety, stressing that decisions regarding elections remain the responsibility of constitutionally empowered institutions.
