The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has urged military personnel to remain apolitical, non-partisan and professional as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
Abbas gave the charge on Saturday while speaking to personnel during the Third Quarter Route March 2026.
Represented by the Director of Manning at Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Kolawole Oguntuga, the naval chief said the Armed Forces had an important role to play in supporting Nigeria’s democratic process.
He, however, stressed that military involvement in election duties must be guided by the law and authorised directives.
“The support provided by military personnel during elections must remain within the limits of the law and duly authorised directives as provided by the Constitution,” he said.
The naval chief also warned personnel against conduct capable of compromising the reputation and values of the service.
He urged them to avoid political statements, partisan associations and other activities that could undermine public confidence in the Navy.
Abbas said the discipline and unity demonstrated during the route march should be reflected in the personnel’s conduct during election duties.
He also emphasised the importance of physical fitness, noting that modern naval operations increasingly require personnel to work alongside other security agencies in challenging environments.
“Success in such deployments therefore depends not only on weapons, platforms and training, but also on the physical fitness, mental resilience and adaptability of the individual officer or rating,” he said.
According to him, the route march was a reminder that operational effectiveness begins with the readiness of individual personnel.
“Today’s Route March reminds us that operational effectiveness begins with individual readiness, and I urge every personnel to make physical fitness a continuous habit and an integral part of professional military life,” Abbas said.
He further called on personnel to renew their commitment to national service and maintain the standards expected of members of the Armed Forces.
The naval chief said personnel must remain physically and professionally prepared to respond whenever they were called upon to perform their constitutional duties.
“At all times, we must remember that our sacred oath to uphold our professional standards in all aspects of operations is vital to keeping faith with our responsibility to defend our territorial integrity,” he said.
