The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force will remain professional, apolitical and impartial during the Osun State governorship election.
The assurance came during a meeting with civil society organisations, which stressed that preventing violence alone would not be enough to guarantee a credible poll. The groups urged the police to demonstrate impartiality and operational readiness, noting that a professionally secured election accepted by all major stakeholders would send a strong signal ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Responding, the IGP said the Force has no preferred candidate or political party and remains committed to ensuring that the lawful choice of the people prevails.
Disu disclosed that comprehensive security measures had been put in place, including enhanced intelligence gathering, deployment of personnel and operational assets, and collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
He warned that anyone found engaging in vote buying, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching, thuggery or any other electoral offence would face the full weight of the law, regardless of political affiliation or status.
The police chief also appealed to political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully, stressing that no political ambition is worth the loss of a single Nigerian life.
He encouraged residents of Osun State to participate in the election without fear and urged civil society organisations to sustain voter education, election observation and advocacy while sharing only verified information with security agencies.
The meeting ended with both the Nigeria Police Force and civil society organisations reaffirming their commitment to sustained collaboration to ensure that the Osun governorship election is peaceful, credible and strengthens confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.