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, 2026 governorship election, saying the decision followed complaints from politicians and political parties.
Disu said Gotan was asked to step aside after some political stakeholders raised concerns about their confidence in his ability to oversee the election.
He disclosed this while speaking at a press briefing on the police preparations for the election, adding that an Electoral Commissioner of Police had been deployed to take charge of security for the poll.
According to the IGP, the decision was taken after a series of meetings with stakeholders involved in the election.
He said the police considered it necessary to respond to the complaints in order to build confidence in the electoral process and ensure that all political parties and candidates had a sense of fairness and security.
“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 the Electoral Commissioner of Police was deployed ahead of the election instead of waiting until the usual period for election duties.
“So, the commissioner of police was asked to stand aside while the electoral commissioner of police moved in earlier,” he added.
The IGP said the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of election matters would also be arriving in the state, while a Deputy Commissioner of Police had been assigned to take direct responsibility for the Osun governorship 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. They have specific instructions,” he said.
Disu stressed that the police remained the lead security agency for the election and would work with other security agencies to maintain law and order.
“We the police are in charge of internal security. We are the lead organisation in charge this election. Yes, we are going to cooperate with other sister agencies who are going to support us during this election,” he said.
The removal of the state police commissioner comes against the backdrop of growing political tension ahead of the governorship poll.
The election is expected to be closely contested, with political parties and candidates campaigning across the state and seeking the support of voters in the 30 local government areas.
Security is one of the major concerns surrounding the election, particularly because of fears that political disagreements could lead to clashes between supporters of rival parties.
The police have therefore increased preparations to prevent violence before, during and after the election.
Disu also disclosed that the police had deployed teams across Osun State to respond to incidents of violence linked to the election.
He said the deployment was part of measures to prevent criminal elements and political actors from disrupting the electoral process.
The IGP did not provide details of the number of officers deployed but said the police had taken steps to contain violence across the state.
Election-related violence has remained a major concern in Nigeria, with previous elections sometimes marked by clashes, intimidation, destruction of property and attacks on political supporters.
Security agencies are therefore expected to maintain a strong presence at polling units and other sensitive locations during elections.
The police are also responsible for protecting voters, electoral officials, election materials and other stakeholders involved in the electoral process.
The decision to replace Gotan with an Electoral Commissioner of Police is also aimed at ensuring that security arrangements are directly focused on the election rather than the routine policing of the state.
The Electoral Commissioner is expected to coordinate police operations during the poll and work with other security agencies deployed to Osun.
The Independent National Electoral Commission is responsible for conducting the election, while security agencies provide the environment required for voters to exercise their rights without fear.
The police have repeatedly warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against violence and other acts capable of disrupting the election.
Disu’s comments also suggest that the police are taking complaints from political parties seriously as part of efforts to build confidence in election security.
The IGP said the decision to move the Electoral Commissioner of Police into the state early was made after concerns about the state police command were raised by political stakeholders.
The move is expected to reassure parties that the security arrangements for the election are being handled with the participation of officers specifically assigned to electoral duties.
However, the police will also have to balance the need to maintain security with the requirement to remain neutral and professional during the election.
The conduct of security personnel is particularly important during elections because their actions can influence public confidence in the electoral process.
The police are expected to protect all voters and political parties equally and ensure that nobody is allowed to use violence or intimidation to influence the outcome of the election.
As the August 15 poll draws closer, political activities are expected to increase across Osun State.
The police have consequently urged political actors and their supporters to avoid actions that could lead to violence.
The IGP’s disclosure that teams have already been deployed to areas affected by violence is part of the wider effort to prevent the situation from worsening.
The security agencies are also expected to work with community leaders and other stakeholders to identify areas that could become flashpoints during the election.
For the police, the major task will be to ensure that voters can move freely to polling units, cast their ballots and return home safely.
The authorities will also be expected to protect election materials and prevent attacks on electoral officials.
The August 15 governorship election will therefore be closely watched, particularly because of the political tension and security concerns surrounding the contest.
By removing the Osun CP following complaints from political stakeholders and deploying an Electoral Commissioner of Police, the police leadership has signalled its intention to place the election under a specialised security arrangement.
Disu said the police would continue to work with other agencies to ensure that the election is conducted in a peaceful environment.