Osun 2026: Police will be neutral, impartial — IGP Disu

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Friday met with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Abuja to address security arrangements and other concerns ahead of the Osun State Governorship Election scheduled for August 15, 2026.

IGP Disu assured the delegation that the Nigeria Police Force will remain strictly professional, impartial, and neutral, emphasizing they have no preferred candidate or party.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the delegation was led by the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, and included representatives of YIAGA Africa, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Kimpact Development Initiative, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, Partners West Africa, the CLEEN Foundation and other civil society groups.

The organisations presented observations and recommendations on election security, including voter protection, political violence, misinformation and the participation of vulnerable groups.

In response, the Inspector-General assured the groups that their concerns would be carefully considered.

“The concerns raised would be given due consideration and necessary action taken,” he said.

Disu reiterated the police’s resolve to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process, stressing that officers deployed for the election would maintain professionalism and neutrality.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to professionalism, impartiality and neutrality throughout the election.”

He also assured that adequate security personnel would be deployed across polling units, with special attention given to persons with disabilities to enable them participate safely in the election.

The Inspector-General described the Osun governorship poll on Saturday, August 15, as a critical election, noting that it would be the last off-cycle governorship election before the 2027 general elections.

He urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure a peaceful and credible process that would strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.

Disu also called for sustained collaboration between the police and civil society organisations through the timely sharing of credible information and responsible public communication before, during and after the election.

The police chief reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to strengthening its operational preparedness and safeguarding the democratic process throughout the electoral period.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖