The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has explained the removal of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, ahead of the August 15 governorship election, saying the decision followed complaints from political stakeholders about confidence in the police leadership.
Disu said Gotan was asked to step aside after some politicians and political parties raised concerns about whether they could trust him to oversee the election impartially.
The IGP disclosed this during a press briefing, explaining that the Nigeria Police Force had introduced an electoral commissioner of police to take charge of election-related operations in Osun State.
“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 said the electoral police commissioner was brought in ahead of the poll to address the concerns raised by political actors and strengthen confidence in the security arrangements for the election.
According to Disu, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police responsible for the election was also expected to arrive in the state, alongside a Deputy Commissioner of Police who will directly oversee election operations.
The police chief stressed that the Force remains the lead security agency responsible for maintaining internal security during the Osun governorship election. He added that the police would work with other security agencies deployed to support the exercise.
The development comes amid heightened political activity and concerns over possible election-related violence in Osun State. Disu said the police had already deployed teams across the state to prevent violence and maintain security before, during and after the election.
The August 15 election is expected to be closely contested, with the major political parties intensifying their campaigns and mobilisation across the state. The change in police leadership adds another layer to the security preparations ahead of the poll.
