Naval Chief Tasks Personnel on Apolitical Conduct Ahead of 2027 Polls

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has issued a strong directive to naval and other military personnel, urging them to maintain an apolitical, non-partisan, and professional stance in their duties, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections. This charge was delivered by the CNS on Saturday during an address to personnel participating in the Third Quarter Route March 2026.

Representing Vice Admiral Abbas, Rear Admiral Kolawole Oguntuga, who is the Director of Manning at Naval Headquarters, highlighted that the Armed Forces bear the crucial responsibility of upholding and supporting the nation's democratic processes. He stressed that any support rendered by military personnel during electoral activities must strictly adhere to the confines of the law and duly authorized directives as stipulated by the Constitution.

Admiral Abbas, through his representative, called for the highest level of professionalism from all personnel. He specifically warned against engaging in statements, associations, or any other activities that could compromise the core values of the service or bring the Nigerian Navy into disrepute. He remarked on the exemplary unity and discipline observed during the route march, noting its timeliness and significance, and expressed the expectation that these qualities would be evident in their official conduct during the forthcoming elections.

Furthermore, he underscored the growing importance of physical fitness, explaining that the responsibilities of naval service have expanded beyond traditional maritime duties. Personnel are increasingly deployed alongside sister services and other security agencies in joint operational theatres, making substantial contributions to ongoing counter-terr*rism and counter-insurgency efforts across the country.

He elaborated that personnel, whether operating individually or collectively, ashore or at sea, often face prolonged deployments in challenging terrains, under intense pressure, and in rapidly evolving tactical situations. Consequently, success in such demanding deployments relies not only on advanced weaponry, platforms, and training but also crucially on the physical fitness, mental resilience, and adaptability of each officer and rating.

“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 stated. He further reiterated the imperative for personnel to recommit themselves to national service, emphasizing the need to maintain peak physical fitness to meet professional demands, uphold institutional standards in fulfilling constitutional roles, and remain operationally poised for any call to duty.

Concluding his address, Vice Admiral Abbas reminded the personnel, “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.”