Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission Prof. Joash Amupitan has clarified that the deployment of the Armed Forces during elections should be exceptional and not routine.
Amupitan made the clarification Thursday during a one-day seminar organised by the Defence Headquarters Department of Operations at the Army War College, Abuja.
The seminar had as its theme “The Role of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the 2027 General Elections,” with senior military officers, security agencies, election management officials, resource persons and other stakeholders in attendance.
Speaking through INEC’s Director of Legal, Al-Hassan Umar, Amupitan said the Constitution was explicit on the roles of institutions involved in election management.
Specifically, he said while the Commission takes charge of the conduct of elections, the Nigeria Police Force remains the lead agency for election security.
He said: “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.”
The INEC boss further submitted that the military plays “a supportive rather than supervisory role, protective rather than political, and one firmly anchored in constitutional responsibility.”
The law teacher also pointed out that the role of the Armed Forces 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,” Amupitan added.
While further underscoring the role of the military during elections, he said they would be need to maintain the balance between civilian election management and military support to preserve some level of public confidence in both the electoral process and the Armed Forces.
“The Armed Forces serve the Nigerian State and the Constitution—not any political party, candidate or individual,” he said.
According to him, there is need for “courtesy, discipline, restraint and professionalism” in the course of any interaction between the military and citizens during elections.
…On 2027 polls
On the forthcoming 2027 polls, the INEC boss said election security now “extends beyond conventional violence to include insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, organised political violence, cyber-enabled interference, misinformation and disinformation campaigns, as well as the misuse of emerging technologies.”
According to him, the Commission was synergising with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to strengthen collaboration among security agencies in assessing risks, coordinating operational plans and promoting intelligence-driven responses to emerging threats.
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.”
Amupitan reiterated the agency’s readiness to ensuring transparent, inclusive and technologically driven elections, adding “our allegiance is solely to the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the freely expressed will of the Nigerian people.”
Amupitan also said 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.
…CDS
In a message to the event, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. General Olufemi Oluyede, said in line with the 1999 Constitution, the Armed Forces had consistently discharged their constitutional responsibility of providing aid to civil authorities when the need arises in a professional way.
The CDS, while hinting on the role the military would play in the 2027 polls, said the success of Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2027 would not only be measured by the absence of violence, but also by strict adherence to the principles of impartiality, neutrality and respect for human rights.
Oluyede, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations, Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, warned: “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.”
Speaking at the event, the CDS described the seminar as timely, noting that the evolving security environment and increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 elections require continuous training and preparation of military personnel for election support operations.
While reiterating that the Armed Forces remained resolute in protecting Nigeria’s democracy, he recalled that the military played significant roles in the recent off-cycle and by-elections in Ekiti, Kano, Kebbi, Rivers, Nasarawa, Enugu and Ondo states.
…Parties sign peace accord ahead Osun poll
Meanwhile, all the fourteen governorship candidates of political parties participating in the August 15 gubernatorial election in Osun state, Thursday, signed a peace accord.
All the governorship candidates were represented at the event organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC).
Speaking at the event, INEC Chairman, Professor Amupitan, urged all political parties, candidates, and supporters to strictly adhere to both the letter and the spirit of the agreement.
“By signing this Peace Accord today, we are not only affirming our dedication to non-violence and mutual respect among all political actors, but we are also sending a powerful, unambiguous message to our citizens that democracy thrives when peace prevails,” Amupitan said.
He expressed INEC’s readiness for the polls and called on all candidates to cascade the spirit of the accord down to their ward executives, polling agents, and grassroots supporters.
He urged them to demobilise the use of violence, curb inflammatory rhetoric, and let the ballot box alone decide the outcome.
In his address, Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that his administration and party members were under siege and constant attack for the past three months.
He explained that he nearly boycotted the peace meeting due to the violence unleashed on the state over the past few months.
“My presence is due to my very deep respect for our peace leaders here present. Our gathering is to endorse peace, but my government and people are facing police-sanctioned violence and intimidation.
“War is being waged actively against my people by the Osun APC, openly supported by the Osun State Police Command,” Adeleke alleged.
Also speaking at the event, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, urged political parties to shun violence, reminding them that power belongs to God and ultimately to the people.
Speaking on behalf of the NPC, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, called on all governorship candidates to respect the peace accord and ensure a peaceful atmosphere before, during, and after the election.