The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has explained that the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, was removed from office following complaints by some politicians ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Disu made this known during a press briefing on Sunday, explaining that the decision followed consultations with political stakeholders who expressed concerns about their confidence in the state police commissioner.
According to him, the police introduced the position of Electoral Commissioner of Police to take charge of security operations for the election after some political groups and parties complained that they no longer trusted the commissioner.
“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 that Gotan was subsequently asked to step aside to allow the Electoral Commissioner of Police to assume responsibility for election-related operations in the state.
“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 other senior police officers would be deployed to Osun State to strengthen security arrangements for 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,” the IG stated.
He said the officers had been given specific directives to ensure adequate security before, during and after the poll.
“They have specific instructions. We the police are in charge of internal security. We are the lead organisation in charge of this election,” Disu said.
The Inspector-General assured residents that the police would work closely with other security agencies deployed for the election.
“Yes, we are going to cooperate with other sister agencies who are going to support us during this election,” he added.
On fears of violence, Disu said police personnel had already been deployed across the state to prevent a breakdown of law and order and ensure that residents could exercise their franchise peacefully.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 15, 2026. Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party is seeking re-election, while the All Progressives Congress is fielding Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as Ambo.
