The Nigerian Air Force has pledged continued airlift and surveillance support to the Independent National Electoral Commission to assist the conduct of elections across the country.
Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Aneke said the Air Force remains ready to provide airlift for the deployment of electoral personnel and materials, especially to remote and difficult terrains.
He also assured that the service would support election security operations where necessary.
INEC Chairman Amupitan said credible elections depend heavily on efficient logistics and strong collaboration among government agencies.
“The election can only be as good as the logistics. Failure to plan is planning to fail,” he said.
Amupitan noted that the commission has already released the timetable for the 2027 general election.
According to him, the presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly polls are scheduled for February 16, 2027.
He said Nigeria’s vast terrain presents logistical challenges in deploying personnel and materials, making cooperation with agencies like the Air Force essential.
The INEC chairman also commended the Air Force for its support during previous elections, including the 2025 Anambra governorship election and the 2026 FCT Area Council election.
Aneke added that the Air Force will deploy Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms, including drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles, to monitor the electoral environment and detect potential security threats.
Both institutions agreed to establish a joint technical team to strengthen operational planning and coordination ahead of future elections.
