POLITICAL POLITICS

Elections: Tinubu Orders Security Agencies to Remain Neutral

by admin on | 2026-10-16 17:03:11

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Elections: Tinubu Orders Security Agencies to Remain Neutral

By Ahmad Sirajo Makama

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the nation's security agencies to maintain strict neutrality throughout the 2027 general elections, while intensifying efforts to safeguard voters, prevent political intimidation and guarantee a peaceful, free, fair and credible electoral process.

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House Correspondents after an extensive security meeting presided over by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Musa said the meeting, attended by the leadership of the country's military, intelligence and other security agencies, featured intensive deliberations on national security challenges and the measures required to guarantee a peaceful electoral environment.

According to him, President Tinubu made it unequivocally clear that all security institutions must uphold their professional responsibilities by providing adequate protection for citizens to exercise their democratic rights without fear or interference.

"We had an intensive discussion, and Mr. President made it very clear he wants a free, fair, and credible election. We must do everything possible to ensure that the country is safe and secure for the citizens to go out and vote," he said.

He emphasised that the security agencies were committed to providing a level playing field for all political actors, regardless of their affiliations, while guaranteeing the safety of citizens before, during and after the elections.

Musa maintained that the professionalism of the Armed Forces and other security institutions remained central to the administration's commitment to credible elections, stressing that personnel would discharge their responsibilities without prejudice or political considerations.

Beyond electoral security, the Minister disclosed that President Tinubu had issued renewed directives for intensified operations against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements threatening peace and stability across the country.

He said the President had specifically instructed security agencies to pursue the rescue of abducted and kidnapped persons wherever they were being held, while ensuring that terrorist and bandit groups were denied operational sanctuaries within Nigeria's territory.

"The directive from the President is: all of us must go all out to fish out and rescue all those that have been abducted, kidnapped, wherever they are," Musa stated.

He further emphasised that the Federal Government would not tolerate the continued existence of terrorist or bandit camps anywhere in the country, assuring Nigerians of sustained and coordinated operations to eliminate such threats.

Addressing allegations concerning the involvement of underage children in military operations, the Defence Minister dismissed suggestions that the Nigerian Armed Forces were recruiting or deploying minors.

He clarified that the controversy appeared to have arisen from discussions surrounding the exploitation of children by terrorist organisations, rather than any involvement of underage persons in the country's military establishment.

Responding to questions on the urgency of protecting lives ahead of the elections, the Minister highlighted ongoing investments in recruitment, personnel training, military equipment and operational capabilities as evidence of the administration's determination to confront insecurity.

He disclosed that President Tinubu would soon commission a new fleet of approximately ten aircraft and helicopters acquired to strengthen the operational capacity of the Armed Forces.

According to him, the acquisitions demonstrate the President's resolve to sustain investment in national security despite prevailing economic challenges.

Musa explained that improvements in military personnel welfare also formed an important component of the administration's security agenda, citing recent salary increases for members of the Armed Forces.

Other senior security officials included the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye.

Also among the security leadership were the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed; and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi.

The meeting underscored the Federal Government's renewed emphasis on coordinated security operations, institutional professionalism and the protection of democratic processes as preparations intensify towards the 2027 general elections.

The thursday security meeting reflected the Nigerian Government's renewed emphasis on coordinated security operations, institutional professionalism and the protection of democratic processes as preparations intensify towards the 2027 general elections.