LAGOS, Nigeria — The Commander, Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Adereti, has warned military personnel against political partisanship ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Adereti gave the warning on Tuesday at a sensitisation lecture on the conduct of Armed Forces personnel during the 2027 elections at the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration, Apapa, Lagos.
He said military personnel must remain neutral and impartial before, during and after the elections, stressing that their conduct should not suggest or reflect political preference.
“Our personnel must neither be drawn into partisan controversies nor permit the actions, associations or public conventions to suggest or reflect political preference.
“Neutrality must be absolute, visible and sustained before, during and after the elections,” he said.
The commander noted that elections were increasingly conducted in complex and rapidly evolving security environments, requiring sound judgment, professional discipline, inter-agency coordination and unwavering loyalty to the Constitution.
He identified political polarisation, violent extremism, organised crime, cyber threats, misinformation and technology-enabled manipulation as challenges capable of inflaming tensions and undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
Adereti also warned against the disruptive potential of hate speech, fake news, inflammatory rhetoric and coordinated attempts to provoke security personnel.
He said such challenges required intelligence-led planning, strategic communication, institutional cooperation and disciplined responses at every level of command.
According to him, the Armed Forces of Nigeria must remain a stabilising national institution whose conduct strengthens public confidence in democratic governance.
He added that every deployment must be guided by lawful authority, clearly defined responsibilities, approved rules of engagement and respect for fundamental human rights.
Adereti emphasised that the Nigerian Police Force remained the lead agency for election security and maintenance of public order, while the Armed Forces and other security agencies would play supporting roles in line with constitutional provisions.
“Effective security will consequently depend on the unity of purpose, mutual respect, timely and intelligent serving and seamless coordination,” he said.
The sensitisation lecture, scheduled for Sept. 1 to Sept. 3, was attended by personnel from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and Federal Road Safety Corps, among others.
Adereti said the engagement was consistent with the strategic vision of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, aimed at strengthening the professionalism, adaptability, combat readiness and resilience of the Nigerian Army.
He commended the leadership, commanders and staff of 81 Division for extending participation to sister services and other security agencies, noting that no single institution could independently address the complex security demands associated with a national election.
Also speaking, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Adebayo Babalola, said the lecture would promote professional excellence and strategic cooperation through greater understanding of constitutional responsibilities, inter-agency collaboration and the rule of law.
Babalola reminded personnel that the Armed Forces derived their responsibilities from the Constitution and remained subordinate to constitutionally established civil authorities.
He urged every commander and soldier to understand their assigned responsibilities and operational limitations, comply strictly with lawful directives and uphold the rules of engagement and code of conduct.
“Personnel must also comply strictly with lawful directives, uphold the rules of engagement, code of conduct and the establishment of command, while remaining professional, impartial and loyal to Nigeria,” he said.
The GOC further charged commanders to ensure that every deployed officer and soldier understood the lawful thresholds governing arrest, use of force, treatment of civilians and protection of fundamental rights.
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He reiterated that the police remained the primary agency responsible for maintaining public safety during elections, with the Armed Forces and other security agencies providing support as required.
Babalola thanked the COAS for his strategic guidance and support to the military, while urging personnel to uphold professionalism and ensure that their conduct contributes to a free, fair and peaceful 2027 electoral process.
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