ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has warned against any attempt to postpone Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election, alleging that discussions about shifting the poll date may have emerged following the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign flag-off in Kaduna.
Atiku made the remarks on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after meeting with leaders of the TinubuMustGo movement in Abuja, where he insisted that Nigerians must be allowed to decide the country’s political future through the ballot box.
“Now I hear that they want to shift the date of the election because of their Kaduna experience. Whatever it is, they must hold the election, and when they hold it, we will vote them out,” Atiku said.
The former vice-president’s comments followed the APC’s presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday, October 24, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu formally began his campaign for re-election in 2027.
Atiku’s allegation comes amid growing political exchanges between the ruling party and opposition groups over the conduct of the forthcoming election, the government’s economic record and the level of public support for the President.
The ADC presidential candidate did not provide publicly verified evidence in the remarks reported to establish that a decision had been taken to change the election date. His statement reflects his concern over the possibility of a postponement rather than confirmation that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced any change.
The ADC Presidential Campaign Council had earlier raised a related concern, alleging that there could be an attempt to pressure INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan to alter the presidential election timetable.
In a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the campaign council claimed it had received information suggesting that the INEC chairman could be summoned to the Presidential Villa over the scheduled election.
The council urged the electoral commission to resist any improper political pressure and insisted that any change to the timetable must be transparent, lawful and publicly justified.
It argued that the presidential election should provide Nigerians with an opportunity to assess Tinubu’s performance and decide whether his administration deserves another term.
The campaign council also cautioned against the possibility of public-health concerns being used as a justification for postponing the poll, amid debate surrounding Ebola preparedness in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s Director-General, Jide Idris, had said there was no need to postpone the election based on the situation at the time, while warning that a significant change in the public-health situation could raise additional concerns.
The ADC maintained that health authorities should address public-health risks and that INEC should put appropriate safeguards in place to protect voters and election workers.
However, the claims of a plan to pressure the electoral commission or postpone the election remain allegations by the opposition campaign council. No evidence presented in the reports reviewed established that INEC had agreed to change the timetable.
The APC, meanwhile, has defended its campaign activities and accused Atiku and the ADC of attempting to discredit the Kaduna rally through alleged misinformation. APC campaign spokesperson Dele Alake made the accusations in a statement issued on October 24. Those claims were also contested political allegations.
The exchanges illustrate the growing tension between the ruling party and the opposition as preparations for the 2027 presidential contest gather pace.
Tinubu launched his re-election campaign in Kaduna against the backdrop of persistent economic hardship, security concerns and public debate over the effects of his administration’s reforms. The President has defended the reforms as necessary for improving public finances and establishing the foundations for long-term economic growth, while opposition figures have criticised their impact on household incomes and living costs.
Atiku has repeatedly argued that the 2027 election should provide Nigerians with an opportunity to hold the administration accountable for its record. His latest remarks reinforce the ADC’s position that the election must proceed and that voters, rather than political manoeuvres, should determine who governs the country.
The January 16, 2027 presidential election date cited in current political reporting has become a focal point of the controversy. Any formal alteration to the electoral timetable would require an official announcement from the appropriate electoral authority; claims of a proposed change should not be treated as an established decision without such confirmation.
Atiku’s warning also places renewed emphasis on the independence of the electoral commission and the importance of transparent election administration. INEC is responsible for conducting the election in accordance with the law, while political parties are expected to pursue their ambitions through lawful campaigning and democratic participation.
For the opposition, the immediate concern is that the election should not be delayed without a clear and legitimate basis. For the electoral commission, maintaining public confidence will depend on transparent communication and adherence to the applicable legal framework.
As political parties intensify preparations for 2027, the controversy is likely to keep attention focused on the election timetable, the independence of INEC and the responsibility of political actors to distinguish verified developments from allegations.
Atiku’s message was unequivocal: the election must hold, and Nigerians must be allowed to use their votes to determine the country’s leadership.
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