Osun Poll: Police Vow Crackdown on Vote Buyers, Thugs, Assure Free, Fair and Credible Governorship Election
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force will provide a secure, neutral and professional policing environment for the forthcoming Osun State Governorship Election, warning that vote buyers, political thugs, ballot box snatchers and other electoral offenders will face the full weight of the law regardless of their political affiliation.
The IGP gave the assurance during a strategic meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on election security ahead of the Osun governorship poll, where he reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that the lawful choice of the people prevails.
The position was contained in the Inspector-General’s official talking points made available by the Nigeria Police Force.
Addressing representatives of civil society organisations, the IGP acknowledged growing concerns over election-related violence, voter intimidation, political thuggery and the neutrality of security agencies, describing them as legitimate issues that require transparency, dialogue and decisive action.
He assured stakeholders that the Force had already put comprehensive security arrangements in place to guarantee a peaceful electoral process.
“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,” the IGP stated.
According to him, every police officer deployed for election duty has been reminded of his or her constitutional responsibility to uphold the law without fear or favour while ensuring that every eligible voter exercises the right to vote freely and without intimidation.
To achieve a peaceful election, the Police High Command disclosed that adequate personnel and operational assets have been deployed across Osun State, while intelligence gathering and threat assessments have been intensified to identify and neutralise potential security threats before they escalate.
The IGP also disclosed that the Force is working closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure effective coordination before, during and after the election.
He issued a stern warning to individuals and groups planning to disrupt the electoral process.
“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,” he warned.
The Police boss appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and embrace issue-based politics instead of violence.
“Elections should be contests of ideas and policies, not violence or intimidation. No political ambition is worth the loss of a single Nigerian life,” he said.
He urged political leaders to prevail on their supporters to reject violence and respect the rule of law throughout the electoral process.
Addressing the electorate, the IGP encouraged residents of Osun State to come out peacefully and confidently to exercise their civic responsibility without yielding to fear or misinformation.
He advised voters to promptly report any suspicious activity or violation of electoral laws to security personnel stationed across the state.
The Inspector-General also described Civil Society Organisations as indispensable partners in promoting peaceful elections through voter education, election observation and advocacy.
He encouraged the organisations to continue sharing credible information with the Police while avoiding the circulation of unverified reports capable of creating unnecessary public anxiety.
According to him, constructive engagement between the Police and civil society remains essential for building public confidence and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
Reaffirming the Force’s preparedness, the IGP said the success of the election would depend on the collective efforts of security agencies, political actors, civil society, the media and law-abiding citizens.
He stressed that with cooperation from all stakeholders, Nigeria can continue to consolidate its democracy through peaceful participation, mutual respect and strict adherence to the rule of law.
