The Commander, Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Adereti on Tuesday charged military personnel to remain apolitical especially as the country was going into an election year.
Adereti, who was the special guest of honour, said this at a sensitisation lecture on the conduct of Armed Forces personnel during the 2027 General Elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture would be holding from Sept.1 to Sept.3 at the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration, Apapa, Lagos State.
Participants of the lecture include: the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Custom Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps among others.
The commander said that elections were increasingly conducted within complex and rapidly evolving security environments therefore demanded sound judgment, professional discipline, entire agency coordination and unwavering fidelity to the constitution.
“Political polarisation, violent extremism, organised crime, cyber threats, misinformation and technology-enabled manipulation now possess the capacity to inflame tensions and undermine public confidence.
“Nigeria must equally anticipate the disruptive potential of hate speech, fake news, inflammatory rhetoric and coordinated attempts to provoke security personnel.
“These challenges require intelligence-led planning, strategic communication, institutional cooperation and disciplined responses at every level of command,” he said.
Adereti said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria must therefore, remain a stabilising national institution whose conduct would ensure the public and Armed Forces’ confidence in democratic governance.
“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.
“Every deployment must therefore be guided by lawful authority, clearly defined responsibilities, approved rules of employment and respect for fundamental human rights,” he said.
The commander said and emphasised that the Nigerian Police Force remained the lead agency for election security and the maintenance of public order.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have full supporting roles under established constitutional provisions and unconstitutional arrangements.
“Effective security will consequently depend on the unity of purpose, mutual respect, timely and intelligent serving and seamless coordination.
“Among all other security agencies, institutional parameters must be clearly understood without allowing them to become obstacles to our cooperation,” he said.
Adereti said that the lectures were both training and consistent with the strategic vision of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu.
“His common philosophy seeks to advance the transformation of the military into a professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of decisively discharging its positional risk and delivery within a joint and multi-agency environment.
“His philosophy provides a professional foundation required for the legionary to support a democratic process without compromising its constitutional character.
“I therefore express profound appreciation to the COAS for his spartan foresight, purposeful leadership, and sustained commitment to professional military education,” he said.
The commander also commended the leadership, commanders and staff of 81 Division for extending participation to sister services and other security agencies to participate in the lecture towards a free and fair election in 2027.
“This inclusive approach recognizes that no single institution can independently address the complex security demands associated with a national election.
“The diversity of participants gathered here presents an invaluable opportunity to understanding, verifying responsibilities and strengthening professional relationships before operational deployments.
“The value of this engagement will ultimately be measured by the quality of conduct displayed by personnel when confronted with pressure, uncertainty or provocation,” he said.
The commander therefore called for a collective conduct to strengthen national unity, uphold public confidence and demonstrate that the security institutions of Nigeria remained loyal to the cnstitution.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Adebayo Babalola said that the lecture would advance professional excellence and strategic cooperation through greater understanding of constitutional responsibility, inter-agency collaboration and the rule of law.
Babalola said that the Armed Forces derived its responsibility from the constitution and remained subordinate to constitutionally established civil authorities.
“Therefore, every commander and soldier must understand the assigned responsibilities and operational limitations governing deployment.
“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.
“Awareness of what is required of personnel will ensure that no unprofessional conduct is displayed and the consequences of any unlawful act is feared to both officers and soldiers,” he said.
The GOC added that commanders must ensure that every deployed officer and soldier understood the lawful thresholds governing such as arrest, use of force, treatment of civilians and protection of fundamental rights.
He said that the police remained the primary agency responsible for maintaining public safety and other security measures but would be supported by members of the armed forces and other security agencies.
Babalola thanked the COAS for his strategic guidance and tremendous support to the military.
