Nigeria’s naval chief tells personnel to stay out of partisan politics
Vice Adm. Idi Abbas has instructed Nigerian naval and other military personnel to remain apolitical, non-partisan and professional ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking through a senior officer at a route march, he said election-related duties must follow the Constitution, authorised directives and the armed forces’ professional standards.
Nigeria’s Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, has directed naval and other military personnel to remain apolitical, non-partisan and professional in the run-up to the 2027 elections. Abbas issued the instruction on Saturday while addressing personnel at the Third Quarter Route March 2026.
He was represented by Rear Adm. Kolawole Oguntuga, Director of Manning at Naval Headquarters. The naval chief said the Armed Forces had a solemn duty to support Nigeria’s democratic process.
However, he stressed that any assistance provided during elections must remain within the limits of the law and comply with authorised directives under the Constitution. He urged personnel to avoid statements, associations and other activities that could undermine the Navy’s core values or damage the service’s reputation. The instruction comes as military personnel are expected to maintain institutional neutrality while carrying out constitutional responsibilities during elections.
Abbas also linked the route march to operational preparedness, saying the unity and discipline displayed by participants should be reflected in their conduct during future duties. He said physical fitness was increasingly important because naval personnel now serve beyond traditional responsibilities at sea. According to the naval chief, personnel operate alongside other security agencies in joint counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency theatres.
They may work for extended periods in demanding terrain and under pressure, whether at sea or on land. He said effective deployments depended not only on weapons, platforms and training, but also on individual physical fitness, mental resilience and adaptability. Abbas urged personnel to make fitness a continuous habit and to renew their commitment to serving the nation.
He further called on them to uphold institutional standards, remain operationally ready and preserve the professional oath to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
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