… Says “No political ambition is worth the loss of a single Nigerian life.
By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
Ahead of the forthcoming Osun State Governorship Election, civil society organisations (CSOs) have alerted the Nigeria Police Force that 13 of the state’s 30 local government areas have been identified as high-risk hotspots, urging security agencies to maintain strict neutrality before, during and after the polls.
The recommendations was delivered on Friday at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, during a courtesy visit by a coalition of CSOs led by the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr. Samson Itodo, to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Rilwan Disu
Presenting findings from months of election monitoring, Itodo said the Osun governorship election is strategically significant as the last major electoral contest before the 2027 general elections and therefore serves as a critical test of public trust in electoral institutions and security agencies.
According to him, the coalition’s assessment showed that 13 local government areas in Osun have been classified as high-risk due to recurring incidents of violence, killings, political attacks and heightened tensions among rival political groups.
He disclosed that civil society monitoring recorded about 44 violent incidents resulting in at least 34 fatalities in the build-up to the election.
“The Osun election is both an election security test and a public trust test. While preventing violence is important, it is equally critical for the police to demonstrate impartiality and operational readiness.
A professionally secured election whose outcome is accepted by stakeholders will send a strong signal ahead of the 2027 elections that Nigerian security institutions can protect the electoral process without becoming actors in it,” Itodo said.
The Yiaga Africa Executive Director urged the police to adopt a risk-based deployment strategy, strengthen engagement with accredited observers and journalists, and establish rapid-response mechanisms for investigating allegations of misconduct by security personnel.
He also expressed concerns about public perceptions regarding the neutrality of security agencies and called on all security institutions involved in the election to resist attempts by political actors to influence the outcome of the poll.
Responding, the Inspector General of Police Disu assured Nigerians that the Police Force remains committed to delivering a peaceful, credible and violence-free election.
He revealed that extensive security preparations had already commenced, including the early deployment of personnel and election security managers to the state.
According to him, Osun’s electoral landscape comprises 30 local government areas, 332 wards and 3,673 polling units, making it one of the largest off-cycle governorship elections in recent years.
Disu disclosed that the Force plans to deploy a minimum of four police officers to each of the state’s 3,673 polling units, with support from other security agencies.
“We intend to have nothing less than four policemen in all polling units. We have also deployed senior officers and specialised election security personnel to Osun ahead of the election. More officers will be sent if the need arises,” he said.
The DIG noted that the Police had already replaced key election security officials in response to concerns raised by stakeholders and had introduced an Electoral Commissioner of Police to oversee operations in the state.
He stressed that the Force would not tolerate any compromise by officers assigned to election duties.
“Our political party is the Nigeria Police Force. We have instructed our officers to remain neutral and resist any pressure from politicians. Any officer found compromising the integrity of the election will face disciplinary action,” he said.
Disu attributed much of the violence recorded in Osun to cult-related rivalries allegedly exploited by political actors, warning parents against allowing their children to be used as political thugs.
“No political ambition is worth the loss of a single Nigerian life. Elections will come and go, but no election is worth the death of any child or citizen. Political leaders must prevail on their supporters to reject violence and respect the rule of law,” he stated.
He further appealed to Osun residents to come out peacefully and exercise their franchise without fear, assuring them of adequate security throughout the electoral process.
The police chief also pledged continued collaboration with civil society groups, election observers and the media, describing them as indispensable partners in promoting peaceful and credible elections.
The Osun governorship election is expected to serve as a major litmus test for Nigeria’s electoral and security institutions ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections.
