THE Nigeria Police Force has deployed a new Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, to Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, replacing Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan as security preparations intensify for the poll.
The deployment was confirmed on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer in Osun State, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, who said the new commissioner had been assigned specifically for the governorship election.
According to Ojelabi, Erale had yet to assume office at the time of the announcement.
He said, “What we have is that an election CP is being deployed to Osun State. Although he is yet to report or assume office.”
Although the Nigeria Police Force has not officially stated the reason for Gotan’s redeployment, reports indicate that he has been posted to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for a special duty assignment under the Commissioner of Police in charge of Communications Operations.
The change in leadership comes as political parties intensify campaigns ahead of the governorship election, with security expected to play a central role in ensuring peaceful conduct of the exercise.
Gotan’s redeployment followed months of criticism from the Osun State Government, opposition groups and civil society organisations over the handling of election-related security matters and allegations of bias, claims the Police have consistently denied.
The development also came less than 24 hours after the Police granted administrative bail to the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, who was arrested alongside five other persons during a raid on his residence over allegations of vote-buying and harbouring a wanted suspect.
The operation generated political reactions, with the Osun State Government and the ruling Accord Party alleging that security agencies were being used to intimidate senior government officials ahead of the election. The Police, however, maintained that the operation was intelligence-driven and part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Pressure had mounted in recent weeks as a coalition of civil society organisations protested in Osogbo, calling for the removal of the former commissioner over alleged partiality in handling politically sensitive cases.
The Accord Party also petitioned President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, alleging that Gotan targeted officials of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration while failing to act impartially in election-related matters.
The controversy deepened after police officers announced the recovery of cash, Permanent Voter Cards, voters’ registers and other materials during the raid on the SSG’s residence. While the Police said the recovered items formed part of an ongoing investigation, the state government insisted the operation was politically motivated.
The latest deployment mirrors a similar development before the 2022 Osun governorship election, when the then Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, was replaced by Julius Okoro following concerns raised over the handling of political violence.
Samuel Erale assumes office at a time of heightened political activity, with security agencies expected to safeguard lives, property and electoral materials throughout the governorship election process.
The 15 August governorship election will feature incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party seeking re-election against the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, alongside candidates from 12 other political parties.