The Defence Headquarters has reiterated the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to professionalism, constitutional compliance and political neutrality as preparations gather pace for the 2027 General Elections.
According to an official statement signed by the Director, Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, gave the assurance during a one-day seminar organised by the Defence Headquarters Department of Operations in Abuja on Thursday.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Training, Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, the CDS said the seminar, themed “The Role of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the 2027 General Elections,” was designed to prepare military personnel for election support operations in an increasingly complex security environment.
General Oluyede said the nation’s evolving security landscape and the growing tempo of political activities ahead of the 2027 polls underscore the need for continuous training of Armed Forces personnel. He stressed that the military’s constitutional responsibility remains the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity, the suppression of insurrection and the provision of aid to civil authorities whenever required.
He emphasised that personnel deployed under Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2027 must remain apolitical and strictly comply with the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement governing military participation in election-related operations. According to him, the Armed Forces have consistently demonstrated professionalism during previous electoral assignments, including recent off-cycle and by-elections conducted in Ekiti, Kano, Kebbi, Rivers, Nasarawa, Enugu and Ondo states.
The CDS noted that the success of Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2027 would not only be judged by the absence of violence but also by the military’s commitment to constitutional principles, impartiality and respect for the rights and dignity of Nigerians. He urged commanders, staff officers and participants to apply the knowledge gained from the seminar in future election security operations.
In his keynote address, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, represented by the Commission’s 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 democracy.
He said credible elections can only thrive in a secure environment, noting that national security and the sovereign will of the people are inseparable. While reaffirming that INEC remains constitutionally responsible for conducting elections and the Nigeria Police Force serves as the lead agency for election security, he said the Armed Forces play a critical supporting role in aid of civil authorities whenever extraordinary security situations arise.
Professor Amupitan highlighted the military’s contributions to protecting critical national infrastructure, securing electoral assets, supporting the movement of sensitive election materials and providing logistical assistance, particularly through the Nigerian Air Force’s airlift capabilities to difficult and hard-to-reach locations.
He also identified insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, organised political violence, cyber-enabled interference, misinformation and disinformation as emerging threats to election security, urging security institutions to strengthen intelligence-led operations, deepen inter-agency collaboration and adopt proactive strategies to safeguard the electoral process.
The seminar concluded with a renewed commitment by the Defence Headquarters, INEC and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and ensure a secure environment for peaceful, credible, inclusive and transparent elections in 2027.
