The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has explained that the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, was asked to step aside following complaints from political stakeholders ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The Punch reported that Disu made this known during a press briefing on Sunday, saying the police took the decision after consultations with politicians and parties who raised concerns about their confidence in the state police command under Gotan.
According to the IG, the police introduced an electoral commissioner specifically to oversee security operations for the election after receiving complaints from some political groups.
“For the first time, we introduced the electoral commissioner of police who will be taking charge of the elections earlier, when we noticed that certain groups of politicians and parties were complaining that they no longer trust the commissioner of police,” Disu said.
He explained that Gotan was subsequently directed to stand aside to allow the newly appointed electoral commissioner to assume responsibility for election-related operations.
“So, the commissioner of police was asked to stand aside while the electoral commissioner of police moved in earlier,” he said.
Disu also disclosed that additional senior police officers would be deployed to Osun to handle various aspects of security during the poll.
“The AIG in charge of election will be moving in any moment from now.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, who will be taking charge of the Osun election, will also be moving in,” he said.
The police chief said the officers deployed for the election had received specific directives aimed at maintaining peace and protecting the electoral process.
“They have specific instructions. We the police are in charge of internal security. We are the lead organisation in charge this election,” he stated.
Disu added that the police would collaborate with other security agencies participating in the election.
“Yes, we are going to cooperate with other sister agencies who are going to support us during this election,” he said.
He further assured residents that security personnel had already been deployed across the state to prevent violence and other disturbances before and during the election.
According to him, the deployments are intended to deter acts of violence and create an environment where voters can exercise their franchise without fear.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 15, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party seeking another term against the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as Ambo.
