The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reiterated its commitment to assist Nigeria’s electoral process through airlift logistics, security operations, and aerial surveillance in advance of the country’s general elections in 2027.
During a courtesy visit with Joash Amupitan, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chief of Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke made this suggestion when the two organizations talked about ways to improve cooperation for credible elections.
Speaking during the tour, Aneke gave assurances that the Air Force is still “willing, able, and ready” to quickly airlift personnel and election supplies across the nation, especially to remote and challenging areas where transportation issues could cause deployment delays.
He clarified that in order to guarantee operational preparedness before to the elections, the Air Force has already started making preparations.
“We are planning ahead to make sure that all of our medium-level and heavy haulage aircraft receive routine maintenance so that they will be ready when needed,” he stated.
In the past, the Air Force has assisted INEC with the delivery of both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials, and the Air Chief stated that the Air Force is ready to increase this role in upcoming electoral operations.
Aneke stated that the Air Force is using its Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets to improve election security nationwide in addition to providing logistical support.
He clarified that cutting-edge aerial technologies, including as drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), will be utilized to identify possible threats, monitor areas of interest, and facilitate security services’ quick response.
He claims that some of the surveillance equipment can stay in the air for long stretches of time, making it possible to watch sensitive areas in real time both prior to and during elections.
The Air Chief also emphasized the need of cooperative planning and simulation exercises between INEC and security services, pointing out that coordinated preparation and rehearsals greatly increase operational effectiveness during elections.
In order to safeguard electoral infrastructure, including INEC offices, collation centers, and logistics hubs around the country, he further assured the Commission that the Air Force will continue to collaborate closely with other security services, especially the Nigeria Police Force.
Earlier, INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan praised the collaboration and called the visit a comforting move as the Commission steps up its election-related preparations.
He revealed that the gubernatorial and state assembly elections are set for February 16, 2027, while the presidential and National Assembly elections are set for January 16, 2027, according to the updated schedule released in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026.
Amupitan emphasized that one of the most important factors in successful elections is still logistics.
He stated, “An election can only be as good as its logistics,” pointing out that the Air Force’s strategic logistics capability will greatly improve election operations nationwide.
Additionally, he praised the Nigerian Air Force for its assistance in other elections, like as the Anambra State Governorship electoral, which he claimed helped ensure a seamless electoral process.
The INEC chairman also revealed that the Commission will hold governorship elections in Osun State on August 15 and Ekiti State in June. He described these elections as crucial tests before to the general elections of 2027.
