The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, has charged naval and other military personnel to remain apolitical, non-partisan and professional in the discharge of their duty in the upcoming 2027 elections. 

The CNS gave the charge on Saturday while addressing personnel at the Third Quarter Route March 2026.

Mr Abbas, represented by the Director of Manning, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Kolawole Oguntuga, said that the Armed Forces retained the solemn responsibility to support the democratic process.

He emphasised that the support provided by military personnel during elections must remain within the limits of the law and the duly authorised directives as provided by the constitution.

He demanded utmost professionalism from the personnel, tasking them to avoid statements, associations and any other activity that could negate the service’s core values and bring the Navy to disrepute.

According to him, unity and discipline displayed during the route march is timely and significant, and the results should be evident during the discharge of duty in the upcoming elections.

He stated, “Physical fitness is all the more important as naval service has grown beyond traditional responsibilities at sea. Personnel continue to serve alongside sister services and other security agencies in joint theatres, contributing significantly to ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

“Personnel, in most cases whether at sea or ashore, operating singly or jointly, would operate for prolonged periods in demanding terrain, under intense pressure, and in rapidly changing tactical conditions.

“Success in such deployments therefore depends not only on weapons, platforms and training, but also on the physical fitness, mental resilience and adaptability of the individual officer or 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.”

Mr Abbas reiterated the need for personnel to renew commitment to the service of the nation.

He said personnel must maintain physical fitness to meet the demands of the profession, uphold institutional standards in fulfilling the navy’s constitutional responsibilities and remain operationally prepared to respond whenever duty calls.

“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,” he said.(NAN)