- Warns against Violence, say vote buyers, others will face the law
By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, has assured residents that the Nigeria Police Force will remain neutral, professional and committed to safeguarding lives, property and the integrity of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
He also warned politicians and their supporters against vote-buying and other electoral offences, declaring that anyone caught violating the Electoral Act would be arrested and prosecuted irrespective of political affiliation or social status.
Speaking at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Stakeholders’ Meeting in Osogbo on Wednesday, Gotan said the Police, in collaboration with other security agencies, had concluded extensive operational plans to ensure that the election is conducted in a peaceful, credible and secure atmosphere.
He welcomed the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), political party leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, religious leaders, election observers and other stakeholders, describing the meeting as a demonstration of the collective commitment to credible elections in Osun State.
Gotan said the Nigeria Police Force, as the lead agency in election security, is fully prepared to discharge its constitutional responsibility with professionalism, impartiality and strict adherence to the rule of law.
According to him, comprehensive security arrangements have already been put in place to guarantee the safety of voters, election officials, journalists, election observers and electoral materials before, during and after the governorship election.
He disclosed that the Police had carried out extensive threat assessments and intelligence gathering across all the 30 local government areas of the state to identify potential security risks and deploy resources appropriately.
He said adequately trained police personnel, working alongside other security agencies, would be deployed to all polling units, registration area centres, collation centres and other strategic locations to ensure adequate security throughout the electoral process.
The Commissioner added that intelligence-led policing had been strengthened to identify and neutralise emerging threats before they escalate into violence.
He also announced that confidence-building patrols would be intensified across the state, while Rapid Response Teams would be strategically positioned to respond promptly to emergencies on election day.
According to him, the Police have maintained continuous engagement with political parties, community leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders as part of efforts to promote peaceful participation and prevent conflict.
Gotan warned that the Police would enforce the Electoral Act without fear or favour, stressing that there would be zero tolerance for vote-buying, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching, destruction of election materials and every other form of electoral malpractice.
“We will strictly enforce electoral laws and take decisive action against anyone found violating the Electoral Act or other extant laws. Individuals or groups who attempt to disrupt the electoral process will be dealt with in accordance with the law, irrespective of their status or political affiliation,” he said.
The Police Commissioner disclosed that special security attention had been given to areas identified as potential flashpoints across the state.
He explained that such areas would witness increased intelligence surveillance, proactive engagement with community stakeholders, deployment of additional security personnel and enhanced collaboration among security agencies to prevent violence before it occurs.
“Our determination is to prevent violence rather than merely respond after incidents have occurred,” he stated.
Gotan assured residents that officers deployed for election duty had been instructed to conduct themselves professionally, exercise maximum restraint and apply lawful conflict management strategies while remaining firm against lawbreakers.
He reiterated that every eligible voter must be able to exercise his or her constitutional right without fear, intimidation or harassment.
The Commissioner appealed to politicians and their supporters to avoid inflammatory statements capable of inciting violence, urging them instead to pursue their political ambitions peacefully.
“Elections should be a contest of ideas, not a battlefield,” he said.
He also encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or security threats to the nearest police formation or through the Command’s designated emergency communication channels.
According to him, sustaining peace before, during and after the election requires the collective efforts of security agencies, political parties, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, religious institutions, the media and citizens.
“As we approach election day, let us remember that the peace, unity and progress of Osun State are greater than individual political interests. Together, through cooperation, mutual respect and strict adherence to the law, we can deliver an election that will serve as a model of democratic excellence,” he said.
Reaffirming the Police Command’s commitment, Gotan assured residents, political parties and all stakeholders that the Nigeria Police Force would remain neutral throughout the electoral process.
“The Nigeria Police Force, Osun State Command, reassures all residents, political actors and stakeholders of its unwavering commitment to neutrality, professionalism and the protection of lives and property throughout the electoral process.
“The success of this governorship election is a shared responsibility that requires the cooperation of security agencies, INEC, political parties, the media, civil society and every law-abiding citizen.
“Together, we can ensure a peaceful, credible and successful governorship election in Osun State,” the Police Commissioner said.
