By Ayodele Oni
he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has argued that only the Nigeria Police Force among all other security agencies has constitutional role during elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, rejected the routine deployment of troops of the armed forces during elections, saying the Force should remain exceptional.
The electoral body specifically said the deployment of the military should arise only where prevailing security conditions require armed forces’ support in aid of the civil authorities.
Amupitan, who spoke through the Director of Legal at the Commission, Al-Hassan Umar at a one-day seminar organised by the Defence Headquarters Department of Operations in Abuja on Thursday, stated this at Army War College, Abuja while delivering a keynote address at a seminar.
The seminar, themed “The Role of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the 2027 General Elections,” brought together senior military officers, security agencies, election management officials, resource persons and other stakeholders to examine the military’s constitutional role in election security.
According to the INEC chairman, the Constitution clearly defines the roles of institutions involved in election management, arguing that the Nigeria Police Force remains the lead agency for election security.
The electoral body boss 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.
In a speech, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s (AFN) commitment to professionalism, impartiality and strict adherence to constitutional provisions in supporting the conduct of peaceful, free, fair and credible elections during the 2027 General Elections.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, was represented by the Chief of Defence Training, Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye.
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.
General Oluyede directed 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.
He noted that the Armed Forces had consistently demonstrated professionalism during previous electoral engagements, including recent off-cycle and by-elections in Ekiti, Kano, Kebbi, Rivers, Nasarawa, Enugu and Ondo states.
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