The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has explained why the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, was asked to step aside ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election.
Disu said the decision followed complaints from political stakeholders who expressed concerns about their level of confidence in the state police commissioner ahead of the election.
The IGP disclosed this during a press briefing, explaining that the Nigeria Police Force introduced an electoral Commissioner of Police to take charge of security arrangements for the poll.
According to Disu, the move was made after some political groups and parties complained that they no longer trusted the commissioner to oversee the election.
“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 added:
“So, the commissioner of police was asked to stand aside while the electoral commissioner of police moved in earlier.”
The IGP also disclosed that other senior police officers would be deployed to Osun to strengthen the security arrangements ahead of the election.
“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.
Disu said officers assigned to the election had been given specific instructions to ensure adequate security before, during and after voting.
“They have specific instructions. We the police are in charge of internal security. We are the lead organisation in charge this election,” he stated.
He, however, stressed that the police would work alongside other security agencies deployed to Osun for the election.
“Yes, we are going to cooperate with other sister agencies who are going to support us during this election,” Disu said.
The IGP also addressed concerns over possible violence, saying the police had already deployed personnel across the state to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
He said the security measures were aimed at protecting residents and ensuring that voters could exercise their democratic rights peacefully.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 15, 2026, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke seeking re-election against the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as Ambo.
The police have assured residents that adequate security arrangements are being put in place to support a peaceful electoral process.
Source: Nigeria Police Force.
