The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force will remain neutral before, during and after the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
Disu gave the assurance on Friday in Abuja during a meeting with civil society organisations (CSOs) led by Auwal Rafsanjani of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC). The meeting focused on election security ahead of the poll.
The IGP said the police had put in place strong security measures to ensure a peaceful, free and credible election. He added that officers deployed for election duty had been reminded to perform their duties professionally and without bias.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains a professional, apolitical and impartial institution.”
He also said: “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.”
Disu said security personnel and operational equipment had already been deployed across Osun State, while intelligence gathering had been stepped up to identify and prevent potential threats.
He warned that anyone involved in vote-buying, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching, thuggery or other election offences would face the law, regardless of their political status.
“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 said.
The IGP urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid violence, saying elections should be decided by ideas and policies, not intimidation.
He also encouraged Osun residents to come out and vote without fear.
‘Police will ensure lawful choice of voters prevails’ — IGP Disu on Osun election