Osun 2026: IGP Disu Pledges Police Neutrality, Warns Politicians Against Vote-Buying, Thuggery

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force will remain neutral and professional 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), where discussions centred on security arrangements for the forthcoming election.

The IGP said the police had put robust security measures in place to guarantee a peaceful, free and credible poll, stressing that officers deployed for election duties had been instructed to discharge their responsibilities professionally and without political bias.

According to Disu, the Nigeria Police Force has no preferred candidate or political party and is only interested in ensuring that the lawful choice of Osun voters is respected.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains a professional, apolitical and impartial institution.”

He further stated that the police had “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 disclosed that security personnel and operational equipment had already been deployed across Osun State as part of preparations for the election.

He added that intelligence gathering had also been intensified to detect and prevent possible threats before they could disrupt the electoral process.

The police chief warned that individuals involved in vote-buying, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching, thuggery and other electoral offences would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law, regardless of their political affiliation or 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.

Disu Calls for Peaceful Election

The IGP urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid actions capable of threatening the credibility of the election.

He stressed that the contest should be determined by competing ideas, policies and the choice of voters rather than violence, intimidation or other unlawful means.

Disu also called on residents of Osun State to participate actively in the election and exercise their civic responsibility without fear.

With heightened security preparations and the police promising impartiality, attention now shifts to August 15, when Osun voters will head to the polls to choose their next governor.