By Pascal Ibe

Introduction

It is exactly two weeks before the Osun gubernatorial election holds and all preparations are underway to achieve a successful poll.

As the last off-cycle poll before the general elections next year, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the police and other security agencies are looking to work hard during the Osun governorship election to gain public trust and confidence.

Amid the heightened political violence in Osun in recent times, there have been growing calls for the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to remove the Osun State Commissioner of Police (CP) to reduce tension in the state.

Claim

@DukeOfOsun, a user on the X platform, has claimed that the IGP has removed the current CP in Osun State.

The X user posted the image of the CP, Ibrahim Gotan and claimed that “the Commissioner of Police in Osun State has been removed.”

“We thank the Inspector General of Police for listening to the voice of the people. The will of the people cannot be denied.

“Congratulations to the good people of Osun State.”

Many people on X responded to the post, by seeking reasons for the CP’s removal.

See comments here and here.

The post has already generated over 68,000 views with over a thousand likes and hundreds of reactions, according to X analytics.

Verification

In a statement by Force Headquarters in Abuja on Friday evening, the police spokesperson in Nigeria, Ani Iniedu, a chief superintendent of police, announced the deployment of Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale Etaifo, to Osun State as CP elections. 

Iniedu said the deployment is part of the Force’s comprehensive election security strategy aimed at ensuring a peaceful, secure, and credible electoral process.

He stated that CP Etaifo will oversee and coordinate election security operations across the state, working in collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to safeguard voters, election officials, and electoral materials.

However, the police spokesperson further clarified that the current Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Gotan, remains in charge of the state command and will continue to supervise routine policing activities, while providing necessary administrative and operational support for the CP election. 

In another separate statement by Abiodun Ojelabi, the spokesperson in Osun on Friday, confirmed the deployment of CP Etaifo only for the governorship election.

Verdict

The claim that the current CP in Osun State has been removed by the IGP is FALSE.

The police deploy special or additional Commissioners of Police (CPs) during elections to ensure political neutrality, strengthen command and control, and secure flashpoints.