Imole Campaign Demands IGP’s Assurance On Violence-Free Osun Poll

Governor  Ademola Adeleke’s Imole Campaign Council, has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, to publicly assure the people of Osun State of a peaceful, free and violence-free governorship election on August 15, expressing concern over the reinstatement of Commissioner of Police (CP) Ibrahim Gotan.

In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council described Gotan’s return as “controversial,” alleging that his previous tenure in the state was marked by harassment, arbitrary arrests, detention of political opponents and violations of fundamental human rights.
The council alleged that CP Samuel Etaifo had been deployed to Osun State last Thursday to replace Gotan but was returned to his previous assignment less than 72 hours later after what it described as pressure from the All Progressives Congress (APC). It further claimed that the Inspector-General subsequently reinstated Gotan while directing Etaifo to supervise only election-related duties.
According to the campaign council, the development has heightened concerns over the neutrality of security agencies ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
It maintained that security agencies must remain impartial, professional and non-partisan to guarantee the credibility and fairness of the electoral process.
The council also alleged that under Gotan’s supervision, leaders and members of the Accord Party had been subjected to harassment, arbitrary arrests, detention and other forms of intimidation, warning that such actions could undermine public confidence in the election.
“The Inspector-General of Police must not allow CP Gotan and his APC friends to plunge Nigeria’s democracy into the abyss through intimidation, arbitrary arrest, witch-hunt and harassment of opponents,” the statement said.
It urged the IGP to publicly address the people of Osun State and reassure them that the Nigeria Police Force would provide adequate security while ensuring a violence-free poll.
The campaign council further called on the police hierarchy to back such assurances with concrete action by guaranteeing the neutrality and professionalism of officers deployed for the election.
“The use of arrest and detention as tools of oppression against the opposition must end. Nigerians are watching. The world is watching. Democracy is about plurality of parties and not oppression and intimidation of opponents,” the statement added.