The health agency’s director-general says there is currently no justification for delaying the polls, but warns that a widespread outbreak could raise public health concerns.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Jide Idris, says there is currently no need to postpone Nigeria’s 2027 general elections over Ebola.
Idris made the statement on Monday during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, where he addressed concerns about the potential implications of an Ebola outbreak for the country’s electoral process.
He said there was no present justification for delaying the elections, while cautioning that a widespread outbreak could raise serious public health concerns and potentially affect the conduct of the polls.
According to him, the circumstances surrounding any outbreak would be important in determining the appropriate response and the measures required to protect public health.
Nigeria is expected to hold its next general elections in 2027, with preparations taking place ahead of the polls.
The NCDC is responsible for coordinating the country’s response to public health emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks.
Idris’s remarks suggest that postponing the elections is not currently considered necessary on Ebola-related grounds, although the situation could require reassessment if the public health risks change.
