Abu Umar 

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has tied the removal of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, on politicians complaints ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election.

Disu made this disclosure on his X hqbdle on Sunday, explaining that the decision was taken after consultations with political stakeholders who expressed concerns about the confidence they had in the state police commissioner.

He said the police had introduced the position of an electoral commissioner of police to oversee election security, with the new officer taking charge of operations ahead of the poll.

“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.

“So, the commissioner of police was asked to stand aside while the electoral commissioner of police moved in,” he said.

According to the IG, other senior police officers with specific responsibilities for the election will also be deployed to the state.

“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 the officers deployed for the election had been given specific instructions to ensure adequate security during 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,” he stated.

The IG, however, assured that the Police would work 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 said.

On concerns over possible violence ahead of the election, Disu said the Police had already deployed teams across the state to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

He said the deployments were aimed at curtailing violence and ensuring that residents could exercise their right to vote peacefully.

The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 15, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party seeking re-election against the All Progressives Congress candidate, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as Ambo.