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 CP 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 election.

Although the police did not officially state the reason for Gotan’s redeployment, the move follows months of criticism from the Osun State Government, political actors and civil society groups over allegations of bias in handling politically sensitive cases.

Gotan’s reassignment 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 sparked strong reactions from the state government and the ruling Accord Party, which accused security agencies of intimidating government officials ahead of the poll.