The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force will remain neutral before, during and after the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
Disu gave the assurance on Friday in Abuja during a meeting with civil society organisations led by Auwal Rafsanjani of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre. The meeting focused on security preparations ahead of the governorship poll.
According to the IGP, the police have put in place comprehensive security measures to ensure a peaceful, free and credible election. He said officers deployed for election duty have been directed to carry out their responsibilities professionally and without political bias.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains a professional, apolitical and impartial institution,” Disu said.
He added that the force has no preferred candidate or political party and is only interested in ensuring that the lawful choice of the people is respected.
“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,” he stated.
Disu disclosed that security personnel and operational equipment have already been deployed across Osun State, while intelligence gathering has been intensified to identify and prevent potential security threats before and during the election.
He also issued a strong warning against electoral offences, including vote-buying, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching, political thuggery and other forms of election-related violence.
“Anyone found engaging in vote buying, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching, thuggery or any other electoral offence will be dealt with in accordance with the law, irrespective of political affiliation or status,” the IGP warned.
Disu called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and allow the election to be decided by ideas and policies rather than intimidation or violence.
He also encouraged residents of Osun State to come out and vote without fear, assuring them of adequate security throughout the election period.
