Concerns about potential violence leading up to the next governorship election in Osun State have been on the rise. On Friday, Inspector General of Police Tunji Disu visited the state and revealed that at least 20 people have allegedly died in the preceding few months.
During a meeting at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo, Disu cautioned political players against escalating the election process into a violent showdown.
The head of police department reassured citizens and political figures that sufficient security measures would be taken to ensure a poll without violence.
While in Osun State, he met with Governor Ademola Adeleke and got a thorough briefing from Police Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan, he said.
More than twenty persons had been killed in the span of a few months, according to my data. “Our focus is on the upcoming election, not on waging war,” Disu declared.
He elaborated by saying that several complaints and accusations involving state politicians from various parties had reached the state’s security authorities.
In addition, the IGP disclosed the frightening accusation that the commissioner of police had apprised him of certain suspects supposedly being hidden inside Government House.
According to Disu, the governor made it clear during their meeting that even if a child was involved in criminal activity, the parent should still face arrest. Disu added that senior police officers, including the zone’s Assistant Inspector-General of Police, were present during the meeting.
The head of the police department issued a stern warning that criminal behaviour would not be accepted any longer and that anybody responsible for violent or murderous acts would face the full force of the law.
Nobody can claim to be free after murdering another human being. He explained that he had personally travelled down from Abuja to deal with the matter.
The need for peaceful democratic activity was emphasised by Disu, who reaffirmed the police’s commitment to creating a safe environment for campaigning and the election.
We will make sure that everyone can campaign without fear. Those plotting violence, however, should be aware that nothing will be normal. “No one has the right to take a human life; it is sacred,” he continued.
At the same time, Governor Adeleke emphasised his administration’s continued dedication to preserving peace and stability in the state in a video recording of their meeting with the IGP.
It was also said that Adeleke said he was fine with the arrest of anyone who was proven guilty of a crime.
This comes at a time when political tensions in the state have recently flared up again, this time over charges of bias and partisanship levelled against Ibrahim Gotan, the state’s commissioner of police, and demands for his removal from Adeleke’s re-election campaign.