The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reiterated its dedication to assisting 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 to 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 legitimate 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 locations where transportation issues could cause deployment delays.
In order to guarantee operational preparedness before to the elections, he clarified, the Air Force has already started making preparations.
He stated, “We are working ahead to ensure that all of our medium-level and heavy haulage aircraft undergo periodic maintenance so that they will be ready when they are needed.”
The Air Force has always assisted INEC in transporting both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials, and the Air Chief stated that the Air Force is ready to increase that role in upcoming electoral operations.
In addition to providing logistical support, Aneke pointed out that the Air Force is using its Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets to improve election security nationwide.
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 assist security authorities in responding quickly.
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 before and during elections.
The Air Chief also emphasized the value of security agencies and INEC working together on planning and simulation exercises, 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 would continue to collaborate closely with other security organizations, 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 preparations.
He revealed that the presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state assembly elections are set for February 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 determining a good election is still logistics.
“An election can only be as good as its logistics,” he stated, 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 past elections, including as the Anambra State Governorship Election, which he claimed helped ensure the votes ran smoothly.
The INEC chairman also revealed that the Commission will hold governorship elections in Ekiti State in June and Osun State on August 15. He described these elections as crucial preludes to the general elections of 2027.
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