DHQ Reaffirms Military Neutrality, Professionalism Ahead of 2027 General Elections

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to professionalism, constitutionalism and political neutrality as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 General Elections.

The assurance was given by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, during a one day seminar organised by the Defence Headquarters Department of Operations in Abuja. 

The CDS, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Training, Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, said the Armed Forces would continue to support civil authorities in ensuring peaceful, free and credible elections.

The seminar, themed "The Role of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the 2027 General Elections," brought together senior military officers, representatives of security agencies, election management officials, resource persons and other key stakeholders to discuss the military's constitutional role during elections.

General Oluyede described the seminar as timely, noting that the nation's evolving security landscape and increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 polls make it imperative to continuously train and educate military personnel on election support operations.

He stressed that the constitutional mandate of the Armed Forces remains the defence of Nigeria's territorial integrity, suppression of insurrection and provision of assistance to civil authorities whenever required. 

According to him, personnel must carry out these responsibilities with the highest level of professionalism, discipline, impartiality and respect for human rights.

The CDS directed that personnel deployed for election security duties under Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2027 must remain apolitical and strictly adhere to the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement governing military involvement in election-related operations.

He noted that the Armed Forces had consistently demonstrated professionalism during previous electoral exercises, including recent off-cycle and by-elections conducted in Ekiti, Kano, Kebbi, Rivers, Nasarawa, Enugu and Ondo states.

General Oluyede added that the success of Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2027 would not only be judged by the absence of violence but also by the military's strict compliance with constitutional principles, impartiality and respect for the rights and dignity of all Nigerians.

He urged commanders, staff officers and participants at the seminar to apply the knowledge gained in order to effectively respond to the increasingly complex security challenges that could arise during the election period.

In his keynote address, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, represented by the Director of Legal Matters, commended the Defence Headquarters for organising the seminar, describing it as a demonstration of institutional preparedness and strategic collaboration in support of Nigeria's democratic process.

Professor Amupitan stated that credible elections can only flourish in a secure environment, stressing that national security and the sovereign will of the people are inseparable. 

He reaffirmed that while INEC remains constitutionally responsible for conducting elections and the Nigeria Police Force serves as the lead agency for election security, the Armed Forces play a vital supporting role in aid of civil authorities during extraordinary security situations.

He highlighted the military's contributions in securing critical national infrastructure, protecting electoral assets, facilitating the movement of sensitive election materials and providing logistical support, particularly through the Nigerian Air Force's airlift capabilities to hard to reach locations.

The INEC chairman also identified emerging threats to election security, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, organised political violence, cyber enabled interference, misinformation and disinformation. 

He called on security agencies to strengthen intelligence-driven operations, deepen inter-agency collaboration and adopt proactive measures to safeguard the electoral process.

The seminar concluded with a renewed commitment by the Defence Headquarters, INEC and other stakeholders to strengthen cooperation and ensure a peaceful, secure, transparent and credible electoral process during the 2027 General Elections.