Ebola: SDP’s Adebayo warns against shifting 2027 elections

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has warned against any attempt to cancel ongoing political campaigns or postpone the 2027 general election over the reported Ebola outbreak.

Adebayo spoke at a media engagement organised by his Presidential Campaign Council leadership in Abuja on Sunday night, where he also announced that the party’s manifesto had been translated into several Nigerian languages ahead of the 2027 polls.

He declared that a single confirmed case of Ebola in the country is insufficient to declare an epidemic, insisting that Nigeria can protect public health without disrupting the electoral process.

Adebayo argued that Nigeria had successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that the response at the time was marked by transparency.

According to him, “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.

“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.

“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.”

Nigeria recorded its first Ebola outbreak in 2014 after Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer arrived in Lagos. The outbreak was contained through contact tracing, isolation, surveillance, and other public health interventions, with the late Dr. Stella Adadevoh playing a critical role in preventing further transmission.

Adebayo assured that his campaign would comply with relevant health guidelines while continuing its nationwide mobilisation, urging citizens to observe precautionary measures and report suspected symptoms to health authorities.

“The greatest problem facing us in Nigeria is poverty. Once you cure poverty, you cure the mother of all diseases,” he stated.

The candidate’s comments came amid concerns over the Ebola threat and the need for effective public health surveillance, particularly at the nation’s points of entry. However, any decision on electoral timelines remains subject to constitutional and statutory provisions.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, had earlier stated that there is no immediate need to cancel political campaigns, conferences, or other large gatherings, though the government would consider restrictions should the situation deteriorate.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Pate noted that the decision to impose any restrictions would be strictly guided by scientific evidence and consultations with public health experts.

Beyond health concerns, Adebayo said the SDP is preparing to present its policy proposals to Nigerians in languages they can readily comprehend, urging voters to scrutinise the document before heading to the polls.

He explained that the blueprint addresses security and welfare as the primary responsibilities of government.

“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.

“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 added.

Also speaking, the Vice-Presidential Candidate, Dr. Usman Bugaje, declared that the party is fully prepared for the general election and is in the race to win and liberate the country from poverty and misrule under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He urged Nigerians to keep hope alive with the SDP, noting that the party possesses the capacity to restore prosperity and ease burdens across the federation.

In his remarks, the National Chairman of the party, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, commended Adebayo for presenting the blueprint well ahead of the formal campaign season and facilitating its translation into multiple indigenous languages.

“This is the first time we have a presidential candidate present his policy document long before the campaign season begins. He is also the first candidate to present his manifesto in all Nigerian languages. This includes Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Kanuri, Fulfulde and so on.

“Therefore, we are urging Nigerians to engage, critique and make invaluable contributions. On behalf of the SDP National Executive Committee, National Working Committee, 36 State Chairmen and the FCT, we are proud to present Prince Adewole Adebayo and his running mate, Dr Usman Bugaje, as the best and credible option to the APC in the 2027 election,” Gombe said.

The Chief Media and Communications Adviser to the Adebayo-Bugaje Presidential Council, Comrade Mark Adebayo, noted that the ticket is anchored on sustainable economic growth, institutional reform, national security, and inclusive governance.

He said the campaign is structured to offer Nigerians a credible alternative to persistent economic and security challenges rather than merely pursuing political power.

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“We are at a defining moment in our nation’s history—a juncture that requires clear vision, unyielding competence, and a collaborative spirit. The Adebayo-Bugaje ticket represents a courageous step forward, built on a shared commitment to sustainable economic growth, institutional reform, national security, and inclusive governance.

“This campaign is not merely about winning an election; it is about charting a definitive path toward measurable prosperity and unity for every citizen. It is predicated on a farewell to poverty and insecurity, the behemoths enervating the country for decades now. This ticket is beyond an individual’s ambition for power like other contenders.

“The purpose of this interactive session is transparency. Our candidates do not intend to govern from an ivory tower, which is why we are opening the floor today to your questions, scrutiny and insights. We believe that true leadership must be accountable, accessible, and ready to engage with the hard realities facing our people,” he concluded.