Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force will remain neutral and professional during the Osun State governorship election, insisting the force has no political interest in the outcome of the poll.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday during a meeting with civil society organisations (CSOs) led by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Disu said the police had put in place extensive security measures to guarantee a peaceful, free and credible election.
The IGP acknowledged concerns over election violence, voter intimidation, political thuggery and the neutrality of security agencies, describing them as legitimate issues that require transparency and practical action.
He said police personnel deployed for election duty had been reminded of their constitutional responsibility to enforce the law impartially and protect every eligible voter.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains a professional, apolitical and impartial institution. We have no candidate, no political party and no vested interest in the outcome of the election other than ensuring that the lawful choice of the people prevails,” Disu said.
The police chief added that adequate personnel and operational assets had already been deployed across Osun, while intelligence gathering and threat assessments had been strengthened to prevent security breaches.
He said the police were working closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and other stakeholders to ensure effective coordination.
Disu warned that anyone involved in vote buying, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching, thuggery or other electoral offences would face the full weight of the law, regardless of political affiliation or status.
He also urged political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully, stressing that no political ambition was worth the loss of human life.
The IGP encouraged residents of Osun to vote without fear and report any suspicious activities to security personnel.
During the meeting, CISLAC Executive Director Auwal Rafsanjani said civil society groups were committed to supporting security agencies in delivering peaceful, credible and violence-free elections.
Also speaking, Yiaga Africa Executive Director Samson Itodo said the Osun governorship election would serve as an important test ahead of the 2027 general election, making the neutrality of security agencies essential to strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
