IGP Redeploys Osun CP to Force Headquarters Ahead of August 15 Governorship Election

IGP Redeploys Osun CP to Force Headquarters Ahead of August 15 Governorship Election

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered the immediate redeployment of Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, less than three weeks before the state’s August 15 governorship election. The directive, contained in a police wireless signal marked “Most Immediate” and dated July 30, 2026, was circulated to police commands and specialised units nationwide for immediate compliance. The internal police communication stated that Gotan had been posted to the Commissioner of Police, Communications Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on special duty. The signal read: “INGENPOL HAS ORDERED THE POSTING OF COMPOL IBRAHIM GOTAN TO CP COMM OPS FHQ ABUJA ON SPECIAL DUTY W.E.F. X TREAT AS VERY IMPORTANT PLEASE”. The directive was sent to the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Department of Operations, Department of Information and Communication Technology, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in the various zones, Commissioners of Police nationwide, and other specialised formations for immediate compliance. The development comes amid mounting political tension and security concerns ahead of the governorship election in Osun State, where Governor Ademola Adeleke and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) have traded accusations over the security situation. Governor Adeleke and his allies had repeatedly called for Gotan’s removal, accusing the police command of partisanship and failing to address rising political violence.

Reacting to the commissioner’s redeployment, Governor Adeleke’s Special Assistant on Digital Media, Oni Gbenga Lawrence, hailed the decision, describing it as a response to public demands. In a post on X, Lawrence wrote: “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”. The spokesperson for the Adeleke Campaign Organisation, Pelumi Olajengbesi, also welcomed the development. The redeployment followed Governor Adeleke’s remarks at a Peace Summit on Thursday, where he alleged that there was an “active progression towards genocide” in Osun ahead of the governorship poll. The governor accused the APC and some police personnel of orchestrating violence, intimidation, and politically motivated arrests against members of his party, claiming that the state had been under sustained political tension for the past three months. He warned that the situation could deteriorate further if urgent measures were not taken to guarantee a peaceful and credible election.

READ ALSO:

• Where Will Peter Obi’s Votes Come From? I Can’t See It – Keyamo Predicts Tinubu’s Landslide Victory
• Obi Must Apologise, Pay ₦25,000 or Face FAAN Action — Keyamo Issues Ultimatum
• Grand Chief Imam warns Bennylee against religious provocation, urges respect for judicial process

The redeployment comes after months of mounting pressure from political stakeholders who had accused Gotan of partisanship and failure to address rising political violence in the state. The Accord Party had petitioned President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, alleging that about 100 of its leaders, candidates, members, and supporters had been arrested and detained across the state, with some allegedly transferred to Abuja. The party claimed that the police actions were “politically motivated, to frustrate, weaken and dampen” its campaign efforts in Osun State. Accord’s National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, lamented that campaigning for the August 15 poll had become increasingly difficult, alleging that arrests, intimidation, and police actions were replacing the level playing field expected in a democratic contest. The party also cited what it described as the police invasion of the residences of six commissioners and the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, whose home was reportedly raided over allegations of vote-buying and harbouring a wanted suspect. The African Action Congress (AAC) had also called for Gotan’s immediate redeployment in July 2026, alleging that the police command had lost the confidence of many residents and that there were plans to destabilise Osun State before the governorship election. The AAC claimed that the state had witnessed an increase in political violence despite the recent visit of IGP Disu, describing the security situation as increasingly volatile.

The tension surrounding Gotan’s leadership was dramatically illustrated at a stakeholders’ meeting on preparations for the August 15 governorship election, where participants openly rejected the Commissioner of Police during his address. The meeting, held in Osogbo, brought together officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, and other election stakeholders. Many participants booed him, shouting derogatory remarks and chanting “Redeploy him! Redeploy him!” while accusing him of failing to discharge his responsibilities impartially. Some of the aggrieved stakeholders alleged that the police boss had displayed what they described as a lukewarm attitude towards cases of alleged killings, assaults, intimidation, and victimisation of residents in different parts of the state. They further accused him of being a biased security officer whose actions had eroded public confidence in the command’s ability to provide equal protection for all political interests.

The redeployment of Gotan is part of a broader shake-up within the Nigeria Police Force. The IGP had earlier approved a major reshuffle involving senior officers, ordering the immediate redeployment of nine Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to strategic commands and formations across the country. The directive, conveyed through a police wireless signal, was addressed to all major police departments, zonal commands, state commands, specialised formations, and training institutions across the country for immediate implementation. Among those affected in the reshuffle were AIG Polycarp Emeka Nwonyi, posted to Zone 9 Command, Umuahia; AIG Obono Nnaghe Itam, redeployed as Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos; and AIG Bassey Samuel Ewa, posted to Zone 15 Command, Maiduguri. Others included AIG Osagie John Agans-Irabor to Zone 3 Command, Yola; AIG Monday Agbonika to Zone 5 Command, Benin; and AIG Daniel Edobor Iyamah as IG, Department of Operations (DOPS), Force Headquarters, Abuja. The Force Headquarters directed all relevant departments responsible for computer records, establishment, and personnel documentation to update official records in line with the new postings.

Meanwhile, hundreds of women from across Osun State staged a peaceful procession to the event venue of the stakeholders’ meeting, calling on political actors, security agencies, and residents to embrace peace before, during, and after the election. Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Vote, Not Violence”, “Peace is Our Priority”, “No to Political Bloodshed”, and “Our Votes Must Count,” the women appealed to politicians to conduct their campaigns with civility and avoid inflammatory rhetoric capable of provoking unrest. Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the group’s spokesperson, Mrs. Ogunsuada Omoriyeba, said the women were deeply concerned by the rising political tension in the state and insisted that no political ambition was worth the loss of human lives. “We are mothers, wives and daughters, and we have come together to speak with one voice. We reject violence, intimidation, hate speech and every form of acrimony associated with elections. Osun belongs to all of us, and we want an election that will be remembered for peace, not bloodshed,” she said. As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official statement explaining the reason for Gotan’s redeployment or announced his replacement.

IGP Redeploys Osun CP to Force Headquarters Ahead of August 15 Governorship Election