…Urges military personnel to remain neutral during elections
By Kingsley Omonobi
ABUJA — Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has declared that the Commission has no preferred candidate in the 2027 general elections, stressing that its allegiance remains solely to the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the freely expressed will of the Nigerian people.
Amupitan also urged members of the Armed Forces deployed for election security to maintain absolute political neutrality, uphold the rule of law and treat all political parties and candidates impartially.
He spoke at a seminar titled, “The Role of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Personnel in Conducting Free, Fair and Credible Elections: The 2027 General Elections in Perspective.”
Represented by INEC’s Director of Legal Services, Mr. Al-Hassan Umar (SAN), the INEC chairman said the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend not only on efficient electoral administration but also on the professionalism and constitutional fidelity of all institutions involved in the electoral process.
“The Commission has no candidate in any election. Our allegiance is solely to the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the freely expressed will of the Nigerian people,” he said.
Amupitan stressed that military personnel deployed for election duties must demonstrate political neutrality, respect for fundamental rights and remain accountable in the discharge of their responsibilities.
“The Armed Forces serve the Nigerian State and the Constitution—not any political party, candidate or individual. Every interaction between military personnel and citizens during elections should reflect courtesy, discipline, restraint and professionalism,” he added.
He identified five key priorities for ensuring credible elections: sustained collaboration among election security stakeholders, intensified election-specific training and simulation exercises, intelligence-driven security operations, strict compliance with the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for security personnel on electoral duty, and unwavering professionalism, transparency and accountability.
According to him, election security should be proactive, relying on intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination, strategic communication and timely deployment of security resources.
He noted that Nigeria’s evolving security challenges—including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, organised political violence, cyber threats, misinformation and attacks on critical infrastructure—require coordinated responses from security agencies.
Amupitan said INEC would continue to work closely with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to assess risks, coordinate operational plans and respond to emerging threats.
He also acknowledged the role of the Armed Forces in election logistics, particularly in providing strategic mobility and air transport to difficult terrains.
According to him, the Nigerian Air Force has remained instrumental in transporting sensitive electoral materials to hard-to-reach communities, ensuring that geographical challenges do not disenfranchise eligible voters.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, described the seminar as timely in view of the country’s security challenges and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Training, Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, the CDS said the Armed Forces would continue to operate within the provisions of the Constitution by supporting civil authorities whenever required.
He stressed the need for military personnel to maintain professionalism, neutrality and respect for human rights throughout the election period.
Oluyede said lessons from recent off-cycle governorship elections and by-elections in Ekiti, Kano, Kebbi, Rivers, Nasarawa, Enugu and Ondo states would help strengthen inter-agency cooperation and improve operational readiness ahead of the 2027 polls.
He added that the success of Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2027 would be measured not only by the absence of violence but also by strict adherence to the principles of impartiality, neutrality and respect for human rights during election security operations.
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