The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Jide Idris, has said the possibility of postponing Nigeria’s 2027 general election could be considered if the Ebola outbreak spreads significantly across the country.
Idris made the statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics programme on Monday, where he discussed the potential implications of the outbreak for public health and the country’s electoral plans.
He, however, expressed optimism that the election would hold as scheduled, maintaining that the current situation did not warrant any consideration of postponement.
“We hope the election will not be postponed, but if the thing gets wide enough, that might be considered. As at now, there is no need for that,” he said.
The NCDC chief explained that Nigerian health authorities had been monitoring the Ebola situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for months and had anticipated the possibility of the virus reaching Nigeria.
He attributed the concern partly to international travel, population movement and activities at the country’s entry points, which could facilitate the spread of infectious diseases.
Idris also dismissed suggestions that the government might use the outbreak for political purposes, stressing that public health issues should not be turned into political tools.
His comments come as political activities and preparations continue ahead of the 2027 general election, expected to begin in January.
For now, the NCDC maintains that there is no need to postpone the election. However, Idris said the situation could be reassessed if the outbreak expands significantly, making the public health situation a key factor in any future decision.
