The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has disclosed that complaints from politicians and political parties over their lack of confidence in the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, led to his removal ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

Disu made the disclosure during a press briefing, explaining that the police took the decision after consultations with political stakeholders who raised concerns about their trust in the state police commissioner.

According to the IG, the police introduced an “electoral commissioner of police” to take charge of election security in Osun State after concerns were raised about the incumbent commissioner.

“For the first time, we introduced the electoral commissioner of police who will be taking charge of the elections earlier, when we noticed that certain groups of politicians and parties were complaining that they no longer trust the commissioner of police,” Disu said.

He added that Gotan was subsequently asked to step aside to allow the electoral commissioner to assume responsibility for election-related security operations.

“So, the commissioner of police was asked to stand aside while the electoral commissioner of police moved in earlier,” he said.

Disu said additional senior police officers would also be deployed to Osun to handle specific aspects of security for the election.

“The AIG in charge of election will be moving in any moment from now. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, who will be taking charge of the Osun election, will also be moving in,” he said.

The Inspector-General said the officers deployed for the election had been given specific directives to ensure adequate security before, during and after the poll.

He stressed that the police remained the lead agency responsible for internal security during the election.

“They have specific instructions. We the police are in charge of internal security. We are the lead organisation in charge this election,” Disu stated.

He, however, assured that the police would work closely with other security agencies deployed to support the election security arrangements.

“Yes, we are going to cooperate with other sister agencies who are going to support us during this election,” he said.

On fears of possible violence, Disu said the police had already deployed personnel across the state as part of measures to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

He said the deployment was designed to deter violence and create an environment in which residents could freely exercise their constitutional right to vote.

The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 15, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party seeking re-election against the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as Ambo.