The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Olatunji Disu, says the police will be professional, apolitical and impartial before, during and after the Aug. 15 governorship election in Osun.
Mr Disu made the pledge on Friday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by representatives of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, led by Auwal Rafsajani, the Executive Director, Civil Society legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC.
The CSOs had visited the IGP to deliberate on issues of election security ahead of the Aug. 25 governorship election in Osun.
Mr Disu said the meeting was a reflection of a shared commitment by the Nigeria Police Force and the CSOs to ensure a peaceful, credible, free and fair governorship election in Osun.
Mr Disu said he was aware of the concerns expressed regarding election security, violence, voter intimidation, the activities of thugs and the neutrality of security agencies.
According to him, these concerns are legitimate and deserve to be addressed through dialogue, transparency and practical action.
“I want to assure Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force has taken these concerns seriously and has put in place comprehensive security arrangements for the election.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains a professional, apolitical and impartial institution.
“We have 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,” he said.
He said all the police officers to be deployed on election duty had been reminded of their constitutional responsibility to uphold the law without fear or favour.
The IGP said the police would provide a secured environment for eligible voter to exercise their constitutional rights freely and without intimidation.
Mr Disu said adequate personnel and operational assets had been deployed ahead of the election across the state.
According to him, intelligence gathering and threat assessments have been intensified to identify and neutralise potential threats before they escalate.
“We are working closely with other members of the InterAgency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), INEC and other relevant stakeholders to ensure effective coordination.
“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.
The IGP call on political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly before, during and after the election, adding that, elections should be contests of ideas and policies, not violence or intimidation.
He said no political ambition was worth the loss of a single Nigerian life and therefore urged political leaders to prevail on their supporters to reject violence and respect the rule of law.
Mr Disu urged the people of Osun to come out peacefully and confidently to cast their votes.
“Do not allow yourselves to be intimidated by rumours, misinformation or the actions of a few individuals who seek to undermine the democratic process.
“Where you observe any suspicious activity or violation of the law, promptly report to the nearest security personnel,” he said.
