Police Deploy New Commissioner to Osun Ahead of Governorship Election

The Nigeria Police Force has deployed a new Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, to Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, replacing Ibrahim Gotan.

Confirming the development on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said Erale had been posted to oversee security arrangements for the forthcoming election.

Although the police did not officially disclose the reason for Gotan’s redeployment, the development comes after months of criticism from the Osun State Government, political actors and civil society organisations over allegations of bias in the handling of politically sensitive cases.

Gotan’s redeployment also came barely 24 hours after the release of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, who was arrested alongside five others during a raid on his residence over allegations of vote buying and harbouring a wanted suspect.

The operation triggered strong reactions from the Osun State Government and the ruling Accord Party, both of which accused security agencies of intimidating government officials ahead of the governorship election.

With the deployment of Erale, the police are expected to strengthen security operations and ensure a peaceful, credible and orderly conduct of the August 15 governorship poll across the state.