Jane Salihu
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has warned that anyone who attempts to disrupt the forthcoming Osun State governorship election through vote buying, intimidation, political thuggery or other electoral offences will face the full weight of the law.
Disu issued the warning during an engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on election security, where he assured stakeholders that the Nigeria Police Force would remain neutral, professional and impartial throughout the electoral process.
The IGP said the Police had no preferred candidate or political party, stressing that its primary interest was to ensure that the lawful choice of Osun voters prevailed.
“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 said.
According to him, police personnel deployed for election duties have been reminded of their constitutional responsibility to enforce the law without fear or favour.
He disclosed that the Police had deployed adequate personnel and operational assets across the state, while intelligence gathering and threat assessments had been intensified to identify potential threats and prevent them from escalating.
Disu also said the Police were collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen security coordination before and during the election.
He specifically warned political actors and their supporters against acts capable of undermining the credibility of the poll, including vote buying, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching and political violence.
The IGP appealed to political parties and candidates to focus their campaigns on ideas and policies rather than violence, urging them to restrain their supporters and respect the rule of law.
“No political ambition is worth the loss of a single Nigerian life,” Disu said.
He further assured eligible voters that the Police would provide a secure environment for them to cast their ballots freely and without intimidation.
Disu urged Osun residents not to allow rumours, misinformation or the activities of individuals seeking to undermine the democratic process to discourage them from voting.
He encouraged members of the public to report suspicious activities and violations of electoral laws to security personnel, stressing that credible information would assist the Police in preventing threats before they become security challenges.
The IGP also recognised the role of Civil Society Organisations in promoting peaceful elections, urging them to continue with voter education, election observation and advocacy.
However, he cautioned CSOs against spreading unverified reports capable of creating unnecessary tension, asking them instead to share credible and verifiable information with the Police.
Disu said sustained cooperation among security agencies, INEC, political parties, CSOs, the media and citizens would be critical to achieving a peaceful and credible election.
He reiterated the readiness of the Nigeria Police Force to protect the electoral process, while stressing that the responsibility for a peaceful election rests on all stakeholders.
