Ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has deployed Commissioner of Police to oversee security operations during the poll.
The deployment follows allegations by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and members of his cabinet that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, had been biased and was allegedly taking sides with the opposition in the discharge of his duties.
Sources familiar with the development said the deployed commissioner will supervise policing throughout the election period to ensure neutrality and promote a free, fair and credible electoral process.
A source told our correspondent on Thursday that the CP will be in charge of election security operations across the state and coordinate all policing activities for the duration of the exercise.
“The deployed CP will oversee election security to ensure professionalism, neutrality and effective coordination of police personnel throughout the exercise,” the source said.
The source added that after the election, the CP will return to the Force Headquarters to continue his regular duties, while Gotan will resume his position as the Commissioner of Police in Osun State.
The development also dispels reports that Gotan had been removed by the IGP following allegations by the Osun State Government and the State House of Assembly that he was intimidating the Adeleke administration and backing the opposition.
It is also expected to dash the hopes of many residents who had begun early jubilation over reports that Gotan, had been removed from office.
Afrobeat singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, nephew of Governor Adeleke, was among those who reacted, posting on his X handle, “Today is a good day.”
Earlier today, Governor Adeleke and the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, had called on the Nigeria Police Force to intervene over what they described as the unjust treatment of the state government by Gotan.
They also urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that policing in Osun State remains professional, impartial and guided by the rule of law throughout the election period.