The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has warned that a widespread Ebola outbreak could lead authorities to consider postponing the 2027 general elections, while maintaining that no such decision is currently necessary. NCDC Director-General Jide Idris made the disclosure during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed the outbreak and its potential […]

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has warned that a widespread Ebola outbreak could lead authorities to consider postponing the 2027 general elections, while maintaining that no such decision is currently necessary.

NCDC Director-General Jide Idris made the disclosure during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed the outbreak and its potential implications for the country.

Idris said the agency hoped the elections would take place as scheduled but noted that a significant spread of the disease could change the situation.

“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.

According to the NCDC chief, Nigeria had been tracking the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before the virus reached the country. He identified population movements, flights into Nigeria and activities at ports of entry as factors that could facilitate the spread of infectious diseases across borders.

Idris said the outbreak had been monitored because authorities recognised the possibility of the virus reaching Nigeria through international travel and human movement.

He also dismissed the suggestion that Ebola could be used as a political weapon, saying health officials did not treat disease outbreaks as instruments of political advantage.

“We in the health sector did not use disease issues as a political weapon,” Idris said.

The 2027 general elections are scheduled to begin in January, and political activities are already underway ahead of the polls.

For now, the NCDC chief has not announced any postponement. His statement presents it as a possibility only if the outbreak becomes sufficiently widespread, while expressing hope that the election timetable will remain unchanged.