The Imole Campaign Council, which is coordinating Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid, has criticised the redeployment of Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan to Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council expressed concern over Mr Gotan’s return, alleging that his previous tenure in the state was marked by harassment, arbitrary arrests, human rights abuses and the intimidation of members and leaders of the Accord Party.
The council recalled that Mr Gotan had allegedly supervised the detention of the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, along with others, at the SSG’s residence. It argued that the subsequent release of Mr Igbalaye and the return of items seized from his home suggested that the police action lacked justification.
According to the campaign organisation, Mr Gotan’s reassignment after the posting of Commissioner of Police Samuel Etaifo raises concerns about the neutrality of the police in the forthcoming election. It further alleged that the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, acted under pressure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in restoring Mr Gotan to the state.
The council stressed that security agencies must remain impartial to guarantee a credible electoral process. It warned that the police should not be used as instruments for intimidation, political persecution or the suppression of opposition parties during the election.
It also called on the Inspector-General to reassure Osun residents that the August 15 poll would be conducted peacefully and fairly, urging him to ensure that officers deployed for the exercise remain neutral throughout the process.
The council maintained that arbitrary arrests and detention should not be used against political opponents, insisting that democracy thrives on political competition rather than intimidation.
The criticism comes amid reports of rising political violence in Osun as preparations for the governorship election intensify.
Meanwhile, Inspector-General Tunji Disu has assured residents that adequate security arrangements have been put in place, expressing confidence that the Osun governorship election would rank among the most peaceful and well-conducted in the country.