The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed that the deployment of the Armed Forces during elections should remain an exceptional measure, insisting that the Nigeria Police Force is the constitutionally recognised lead agency for election security under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, stated this while delivering a keynote address at a seminar organised by the Army War College Nigeria in Abuja on election security, civil-military relations and the legal framework for democratic elections.
Represented by the Commission’s Director of Legal Services, Al-Hassan Umar, Amupitan commended the Armed Forces for their patriotism and commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity but stressed that their involvement in elections must remain supportive and within constitutional limits.
“As both a teacher and practitioner of law, permit me to begin by reaffirming the constitutional framework governing election security in Nigeria,” he said.
“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.”
He explained that military deployment during elections is justified only where prevailing security conditions require support to civil authorities.
“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.
“Accordingly, the Armed Forces perform a supportive rather than supervisory role, protective rather than political, and one firmly anchored in constitutional responsibility,” he said.
Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to delivering elections that are transparent, inclusive, technologically driven and fully compliant with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
He said the Commission would continue to prioritise access for persons with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups, while urging security agencies to ensure professionalism and respect for citizens’ rights on election day.
“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 added.
Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, charged members of the Armed Forces to uphold strict neutrality, professionalism and international human rights standards in all election-related operations.
Represented by Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, the CDS said the success of Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2027 would not only be measured by the absence of violence but also by adherence to the rule of law, democratic principles and respect for human rights.
“As we approach the electioneering period, with increasing political activities across the country, it is imperative that Armed Forces personnel are constantly reminded of their roles to ensure the maintenance of strict neutrality, professionalism and adherence to international human rights provisions,” he said.
Oluyede noted that previous elections had tested the military’s operational readiness, inter-agency coordination and civil-military relations, but said the Armed Forces had consistently demonstrated professionalism in supporting Nigeria’s democratic process.
He emphasised that the military’s constitutional mandate is limited to suppressing insurrection and providing aid to civil authorities when called upon, assuring that the Armed Forces had always operated within those legal boundaries.
The CDS also commended officers and soldiers for their conduct during recent off-cycle and by-elections in Ekiti, Kano, Kebbi, Rivers, Nasarawa, Enugu and Ondo states, describing their professionalism as instrumental to the peaceful conduct of the polls.
“The professional conduct of Armed Forces personnel contributed to the seamless and incident-free elections witnessed in these states,” he said.
He urged commanders to apply lessons from those elections to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, improve rapid response capabilities and ensure the protection of law-abiding citizens while maintaining political neutrality.
Oluyede described the seminar as timely, saying it would equip commanders and staff officers with the knowledge and operational skills needed to respond effectively to evolving security threats ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The seminar, titled “The Role of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in Conducting Free, Fair and Credible Elections: Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections in Perspective,” brought together field commanders, staff officers, representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies and officials of INEC to deliberate on strengthening election security and democratic governance.
(The Sun)
