The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, has opposed any move to suspend political campaigns or postpone the 2027 general election over the Ebola outbreak, arguing that public health concerns should not automatically disrupt the electoral process.
Adebayo said the government could protect Nigerians from the disease while allowing political activities to continue, provided political parties complied with relevant health guidelines.
He spoke on Sunday at a dinner organised by the leadership of his Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, where he also announced that his manifesto had been translated into several Nigerian languages to make his policy proposals more accessible to voters.
The presidential candidate questioned the handling of the current Ebola situation, contrasting it with Nigeria’s response to the 2014 outbreak under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He argued that a single confirmed case did not, by itself, establish an epidemic and maintained that the outbreak should not be used as a reason to disrupt preparations for the 2027 elections.
“Ebola is not the biggest public health crisis we have in Nigeria. It is just that whatever the APC government discusses or presides over, there’s always deception, obfuscation and opportunism involved,” he said.
Adebayo added: “One single incident of Ebola is not enough to talk about an epidemic. Secondly, we have dealt with Ebola in Nigeria before during the time of Goodluck Jonathan, with Dr (Onyebuchi) Chukwu as Minister of Health.
“Everybody in Nigeria had a transparent understanding of Ebola. The person who brought it to Nigeria, Patrick Sawyer, from Liberia, the lead consultant physician who treated him then was Dr (Stella) Adadevoh. Everything about it was transparent. But this particular one is shrouded in mystery.”
He said suspending campaigns, rallies or shifting the election would be inappropriate, urging Nigerians to use the 2027 polls to determine the country’s political direction.
“So, we cannot cancel campaigns, rallies, or shift an important election like the upcoming 2027 poll. The greatest gift anyone can give to support the health of Nigerians is to go to the poll to vote and kick out the APC,” he said.
His position comes amid the Federal Government’s assessment of the public health implications of the outbreak.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, had said there was no immediate need to cancel political campaigns, conferences or other large gatherings. However, he said the government could consider restrictions if the situation deteriorated.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja last Thursday, Pate said any decision to introduce restrictions would be guided by scientific evidence and consultations with public health experts.
Adebayo said his campaign would continue its nationwide mobilisation while observing applicable health guidelines. He also urged Nigerians to take precautionary measures and report suspected symptoms to health authorities.
Manifesto translated into local languages
Beyond the Ebola concerns, the SDP candidate said his campaign was seeking to improve public understanding of the party’s policy proposals by making its manifesto available in languages spoken across the country.
He said the document, which outlines the party’s plans on security and welfare, had been translated into English, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, with versions in other Nigerian languages also being circulated.
“The primary duty of government is security and welfare. If you have studied our manifesto, you will realise it was published in all the major languages, namely English, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. We have gone beyond that to further break it down in other languages, which are now in circulation,” he said.
Adebayo urged Nigerians to examine the manifesto and question the party on its proposals before the election, saying voters should be able to assess the policies being presented to them.
“When we campaign, we want Nigerians to ask questions and cross-examine us on the areas they are clear about in our policy document,” he said.
The SDP National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, commended Adebayo for presenting his policy document ahead of the formal campaign season and making it available in multiple Nigerian languages.
Gombe said the initiative would give Nigerians an opportunity to examine the party’s proposals and contribute to discussions on its policy direction.
He urged voters to engage with the manifesto and offer constructive criticism, adding that the party’s leadership was backing Adebayo and his running mate, Dr Usman Bugaje, for the 2027 presidential election.
“Therefore, we are urging Nigerians to engage, critique and make invaluable contributions,” Gombe said.
