Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has called on security agencies to be proactive in eliminating threats before they disrupt the 2027 general election.
He, however, cautioned that the deployment of the Armed Forces during elections should remain exceptional rather than routine.
Amupitan also urged members of the Armed Forces to maintain absolute political neutrality whenever called upon to support election security operations.
“The Armed Forces serve the Nigerian State and the Constitution—not any political party, candidate or individual,” he said.
He spoke yesterday at a one day seminar organised by the Defence Headquarters with the theme, “The Role of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Personnel in Conducting Free, Fair and Credible Elections: The 2027 General Elections in Perspective.”
Amupitan represented by the Director Legal Al-Hassan Umar SAN, stressed that military involvement must only occur when prevailing security conditions require support for civil authorities.
“As both a teacher and practitioner of the law, permit me to begin by reaffirming the constitutional framework governing election security in Nigeria.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly delineates the responsibilities of institutions involved in the electoral process. INEC is constitutionally mandated to organise, undertake and supervise elections, while the Nigeria Police Force remains the lead agency for election security under the framework of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
“The role of the Armed Forces is exceptional rather than routine. Their deployment arises only where prevailing security conditions require military support in aid of the civil authorities and strictly in accordance with the Constitution and other applicable laws.”
According to him, the Armed Forces play “a supportive rather than supervisory role, protective rather than political, and one firmly anchored in constitutional responsibility.”
Amupitan explained that military responsibilities during elections could include securing strategic national assets, protecting critical infrastructure, supporting the movement of sensitive electoral materials where necessary and assisting civil authorities in situations requiring extraordinary security intervention.
“This constitutional arrangement does not diminish the importance of the Armed Forces. Rather, it preserves the civilian character of elections while ensuring that security support remains available whenever exceptional circumstances demand it,” he said.
He noted that maintaining the balance between civilian election management and military support was essential to preserving public confidence in both the electoral process and the Armed Forces.
He said our collective objective is straightforward: “to identify and neutralise security threats before they disrupt the electoral process, while ensuring that every eligible Nigerian can exercise the constitutional right to vote freely, safely and without intimidation.
“Election security must therefore remain proactive rather than reactive, combining intelligence-led operations, effective inter-agency coordination, strategic communication and timely deployment of appropriate security resources,”.
He also warned that election security today extends beyond conventional acts of violence to include complex and sometimes asymmetric threats, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, organised political violence, attacks on critical infrastructure, cyber-enabled interference, misinformation and disinformation campaigns, and the misuse of emerging technologies to undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
He said public confidence in elections depends not only on the actual integrity of the process but equally on the public perception of fairness, impartiality and professionalism of agencies involved.
“Every action taken by security personnel during elections is closely observe by citizens, political parties, election observers and the international community. Members of the Armed Forces deployed in support of election security must therefore demonstrate absolute political neutrality,adherence to the Constitution and the rule of law, respect for fundamental rights, impartial treatment of all political parties and candidates, accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities”.
“The Armed Forces serve the Nigerian State and the Constitution-not political party, candidate or individual. Every interaction between military personnel and citizens during election should therefore reflect courtesy, discipline, restraint and professional These values strengthen public confidence in both our democratic institu. and the Armed Forces as one of Nigeria’s most respected national institutions,”
According to him, democracy derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed, freely expressed through credible elections, adding that consent, however, cannot be freely expressed where fear, violence or intimidation prevail. Security and electoral integrity are therefore inseparable.
He reiterated that elections represent one of the largest peacetime national undertakings in Nigeria, requiring the deployment of election personnel and sensitive materials across thousands of polling locations nationwide.
“Protecting this vast operational undertaking demands effective planning, seamless coordination and the unwavering commitment of all security institutions,”.
Amupitan noted that the conduct of a General Election in Nigeria remains one of the most logistical operations undertaken in peacetime which involves the movement of sensitive electoral materials, the deployment of election officials thousands of polling locations, and the coordination of operations in geographical terrains, including difficult riverine, mountainous and hard-to-reach communities.
He added that the success of these operations depends on close collaboration among INEC, transport providers and the security agencies.
He however, noted that the Armed Forces possess unique operational capabilities in strategic mobility, logistics, communications and rapid deployment that may become indispensable whenever extraordinary circumstances arise.
Amupitan reaffirmed that the commission remained committed to conducting transparent, inclusive and technologically driven elections, stressing that INEC had 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.
He added that the credibility of the 2027 general elections would depend not only on efficient electoral administration but also on the professionalism, neutrality and constitutional fidelity of every institution entrusted with responsibilities in the electoral process.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Commission to conducting elections that “are transparent, inclusive, technologically driven, professionally administered and fully compliant with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.”
He reiterated that INEC continues to pay special attention to the needs of persons with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups, so that no eligible citizen is excluded from participating in our democracy.
“In this regard, we look forward to the continued support of the Armed Forces and other security agencies in ensuring that election-day security is discharged with professionalism, restraint and respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of every citizen. Security personnel must inspire confidence, protect the voter, safeguard election officials and preserve the integrity of the electoral process.
Our shared objective is not merely the conduct of peaceful elections, but elections in which every Nigerian can freely exercise the constitutional right to vote without fear, intimidation or unlawful interference,” he said.
He noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria have earned national and international respect through their commitment to defending our territorial integrity, supporting civil authorities in times of national need and contributing to peace and stability both within and beyond our borders.
“As the Independent National Electoral Commission prepares for the 2027 General Elections, I wish to reaffirm that 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.
The credibility of the 2027 General Elections will depend not only on the efficiency of electoral administration, but equally on the professionalism, neutrality and constitutional fidelity of every institution entrusted with responsibilities in the electoral process,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede said the seminar as timely considering the security challenges bedeviling our dear nation and the need to create an enabling environment for the smooth conduct of the 2027 General Elections.
The CDS represented by the Chief of Defence Training, Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye said the Armed Forces of Nigeria, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is saddled with a distinct and clear mandate to suppress insurrection and provide aid to civil authority when called upon
This he said the Armed Forces of Nigeria has continuously acted within the confines of this provision, projecting its professionalism and operational readiness in the conduct of its engagements.
“As we approach the electioneering period, with a steady increase in political activities, it is imperative that the Armed Forces of Nigeria personnel are constantly reminded of their roles to ensure the maintenance of strict neutrality, professionalism and adherence to International Human Rights provisions. I am certain that this seminar will distinctly align Field Commanders and Staff Officers to their roles, as well as reiterate the importance of adhering to the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for the conduct of Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2027,”.
The Defence Chief noted that past elections have attempted to test inter-agency coordination, civil-military relations and operational readiness through the activities of some unscrupulous elements.
However, noted that our unflinching resolve and unalloyed commitment to securing the nation has always protected the integrity of our country and the democratic process.
He reiterated that personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria played a vital role in the just concluded off-cycle and by-elections in Ekiti, Kano, Kebbi, Rivers, Nasarawa, Enugu and Ondo States.
“The professional conduct of personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria contributed to the seamless and incident-free elections witnessed within these states. I expect that the lessons from these previous elections will be brought to the fore in order to refine and strengthen inter-agency cooperation, ensure rapid response and protection of law-abiding citizens while remaining apolitical”.
Oluyede described the seminar timely and critical to re-emphasize the non-negotiable stance of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on adherence to the principles of impartiality, neutrality and respect for human rights.
“I must also mention unequivocally that the success of Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2027 will not only be measured by the absence of violence or disruption of the electoral process, but also by adherence to basic principles and respect for human rights.
“I therefore urge Commanders, Staff Officers and other participants here today to equip themselves, as a key takeaway from this seminar, with all the requisite knowledge to operate in a rapidly changing and high-threat environment for improved national stability,”.
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