August 03, (THEWILL) — The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu at the weekend deployed a new Commissioner of Police in charge of Elections, CP Erale Etaifo, to Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, dousing the tension that followed the arrests and then release of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye and five others, two days before. The Osun Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the deployment is in line with the IGP’s commitment to neutrality, professionalism and a free, fair, and credible election.
According to the Command, CP Etaifo will oversee the entire security architecture for the poll and coordinate election security operations with other security agencies and stakeholders. Coming on the heels of protests and marches by Civil Society Organisations and politicians who called for the deployment of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan over alleged bias and partisanship, Etaifo’s deployment for the upcoming polls is expected to give assurances to doubters about the neutrality of the police.
Leaders of political parties and CSOs had accused the police command of political bias, unlawful detentions, and failing to remain neutral ahead of the upcoming elections.
Recently, CSOs and student groups staged peaceful protests at Freedom Park in Osogbo, asking IGP Egbetokun to replace CP Gotan. Governor Ademola Adeleke publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the police leadership and accused CP Gotan of a lack of cooperation on security and the arbitrary detention of aides.
However, other civil society organisations, like the Centre for Democratic Integrity and Public Safety (CDIPS), have faulted calls for the removal of CP Gotan. They claimed that campaigns to redeploy CP Gotan stem from backdoor political pressure by state actors unhappy with standard of law enforcement operations in the state.
At a point when unrestrained violence lead to the death of over 30 persons, the IGP had to pay a working visit to the state and sued for peace and cooperation with stakeholders over the growing bloodshed and thuggery.
National Coordinator of Coalition of Civil Society Organisation for Good Governance, Mr Declan Ikehaire, who claimed to have witnessed killings by thugs in Osun State blamed the what he called the laxity of the police on the influence of “federal might,’ a phrase denoting the desperation of the central government to ensure the governing party wins the governorship. But a former Commissioner in the state and currently the Spokesperson for APC Governorship Campaign Council, Oluremi Omowaye disagreed with Ikehaire.
According to him, the police has been doing their job with professionalism, arresting killers, mostly sponsored by the state government, adding that he escaped assassination recently.National Coordinator of Coalition of Civil Society Organisation for Good Governance, Mr Declan Ikehaire, who claimed to have witnessed killings by thugs in Osun State blamed what he called the laxity of the police on the influence of “federal might,’ a phrase denoting the desperation of the central government to ensure the governing party wins the governorship.
But a former Commissioner in the state and currently the Spokesperson for APC Governorship Campaign Council, Oluremi Omowaye disagreed with Ikehaire. According to him, the police have been doing their job with professionalism, arresting killers, mostly sponsored by the state government, adding that he escaped assassination recently.
On the raid of the home of the SSG, the State Government accused the police of violating due process by storming the SSG’s residence without a valid search warrant.
The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, alleged that a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations forcefully entered the premises and arrested everyone present.
The government maintained that the operation was unlawful and described the police action as an invasion, questioning the legality of the raid.
The police have, however, maintained that the operation was intelligence-driven, lawful, and carried out in line with their constitutional mandate to investigate crime and apprehend suspects.
When it turned out that the PVCs belonged to the wife and sister of the SSG, and the money was meant for empowerment of constituents while the raid itself was carried out behind the SSG, the suspicion of bias and partisanship gained currency.
The police however maintained that one of those arrested during Wednesday’s operation was a wanted suspect already on its watchlist.
The command’s position that the nature of the recovered exhibits had raised serious concerns over possible electoral offences and other criminal activities infuriated the government.
According to the police, investigators are examining whether the recovered cash was intended to induce voters in violation of Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, while also probing allegations of criminal conspiracy and the harbouring of a wanted suspect.
The command noted that additional charges could arise, depending on the outcome of ongoing investigations.
“The recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
While investigations are still ongoing, the facts presently available disclose reasonable grounds to investigate the commission of offences, which may include bribery of voters (vote-buying), criminal conspiracy, harbouring or concealing a wanted criminal, and any other offences that may be disclosed upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation,” the statement added.
Police authorities further stated that investigators were working to establish the source of the recovered funds, determine the intended use of the money and voter register, identify every individual connected with the exhibits, and unravel the full scope of any alleged criminal enterprise.
The command stressed that the allegations carry significant implications for public security, the administration of justice, and the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
It also reiterated that no individual, regardless of political status, public office, or social standing, would be exempt from investigation or prosecution if found culpable.
The raid has, however, triggered a fresh face-off between the Osun State Government and the Nigeria Police Force, with the state administration accusing the command of unlawfully invading the official’s residence without first obtaining a search warrant.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, SAN, faulted the arrest and detention of the SSG following, describing the action as legally questionable and inconsistent with the constitutional rights of citizens
Addressing journalists in Osogbo, Jimi-Bada disclosed that Igbalaiye was not present when police officers raided his residence in Osogbo and was therefore neither arrested at the scene nor involved in any attempt to evade law enforcement. He said SSG voluntarily reported to the police headquarters after learning that individuals at his residence had been arrested, with the intention of assisting investigators and securing administrative bail for those detained.
“It is, therefore, shocking that a senior public official who voluntarily submitted himself to law enforcement authorities, not as a fugitive but as a responsible citizen, was subsequently detained. If a citizen who voluntarily goes to the police to assist an inquiry can be turned into a detainee without clear and credible grounds, then every citizen is at risk,” he said.
The deployment, the Force said, underscores the resolve of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that the electoral process is conducted in a peaceful, transparent, and secure atmosphere.
“It will also guarantee the safety of voters, electoral officials, election observers, media practitioners, and all law-abiding residents of the State. The new Election CP will ensure strict compliance with the Electoral Act, the Code of Conduct for Security Personnel on Electoral Duty, and other extant laws guiding the electoral process.” The PPRO, said.
The Command also issued a strong warning to political actors and their supporters.
“Electoral violence, vote buying, voter intimidation, the spread of misinformation, and any other form of criminality will be met with the full weight of the law,” the Command stated.
Analysts say the high stakes in the election will continue to generate tensions among the political actors given that the governorship poll in the state always serve as a dress rehearsal for the general election circle. This year’s poll on August 15, 2026 will be two days ahead of the official kick-off of the presidential campaigns starting on August 19. Moreover, the state is in the geo-political zone of President Bola Tinubu. Together with Oyo State, Osun under the governorship of Accord Party, are two big minuses for the governing All Progressives Congress, APC. Winning it has become a desperation act by the ruling party.
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