The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force will remain professional, impartial and apolitical before, during and after the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
Disu gave the assurance on Friday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) led by Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).
The meeting focused on election security and measures needed to ensure a peaceful, free, fair and credible governorship poll in Osun State.
According to the IGP, the Police are fully aware of public concerns over election violence, voter intimidation, political thuggery and the neutrality of security agencies.
He described the concerns as legitimate, assuring Nigerians that comprehensive security arrangements have already been put in place ahead of the election.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains a professional, apolitical and impartial institution. We have no candidate, no political party and no vested interest in the outcome of the election other than ensuring that the lawful choice of the people prevails,” Disu said.
The police chief revealed that officers deployed for election duty have been reminded of their constitutional responsibility to enforce the law without fear or favour.
He said the force would provide a safe environment for eligible voters to exercise their democratic rights freely and without intimidation.
Disu also disclosed that adequate personnel and operational assets have already been deployed across Osun State, while intelligence gathering and threat assessments have been intensified to identify and neutralise potential security threats before the election.
According to him, the Police are working closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to ensure effective coordination.
The IGP warned that anyone involved in vote-buying, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching, political thuggery or any other electoral offence would face the full weight of the law, regardless of political affiliation or social status.
He also appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns and avoid actions capable of disrupting the electoral process.
Disu stressed that elections should be contests of ideas and policies rather than violence, adding that no political ambition is worth the loss of human life.
He encouraged residents of Osun State to come out confidently to vote and urged them not to be intimidated by rumours or misinformation.
The IGP also advised citizens to promptly report any suspicious activities or violations of the law to security personnel.
Speaking earlier, Auwal Rafsanjani said the CSOs visited the Police to strengthen collaboration on election security and promote free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
He noted that civil society groups remain concerned about the rising political tension in the country and believe that security agencies must remain neutral to sustain public confidence.
Also speaking, Yiaga Africa Executive Director, Samson Itodo, said the organisations had independently monitored developments ahead of the Osun governorship election and identified key security risks that require urgent attention.
According to him, the Osun election is particularly significant because it will serve as an important test ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He added that Nigerians expect security agencies to demonstrate neutrality and professionalism throughout the electoral process.
Source: NAN
