Osun Election Chaos: Police Chief Sacked, SSG Arrested Amid Political Crackdown Allegations

The political landscape in Osun State has been marked by significant developments and heightened tensions ahead of the forthcoming August 15 governorship election. A central event in this unfolding scenario is the removal and reassignment of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, from his state command. This directive, deemed "Most Immediate," was conveyed via a police wireless message issued by the Force Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, July 30, 2026. The signal, referenced TH.5361/FS/FHQ/ABJ/SUB.7/, indicated that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, had approved Gotan's posting to the Commissioner of Police, Communications Operations at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for a special duty assignment. Police authorities instructed all affected formations and commands across the nation to treat this deployment with immediate effect and highest priority.

The news of Commissioner Gotan's reassignment was met with immediate political reactions within Osun State. Oni Gbenga Lawrence, Special Assistant on Digital Media to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, and Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Adeleke Campaign Organisation, publicly welcomed the development. In posts on X, they thanked the Inspector General of Police for "listening to the voice of the people," asserting that "The will of the people cannot be denied" and offering "Congratulations to the good people of Osun State." This development occurred amidst a backdrop of escalating political activities and security concerns among stakeholders in the state.

Earlier, Governor Ademola Adeleke had raised serious allegations, claiming an "active progression towards genocide" in the state in the run-up to the August 15 poll. He accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and elements within the police of orchestrating sustained violence, intimidation, and politically motivated arrests against his supporters. Speaking at a Peace Summit, Adeleke warned that his administration, party members, and residents had been under siege for three months, urging urgent intervention to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

Adding to the outcry, the Accord Party formally petitioned President Bola Tinubu, IGP Olatunji Disu, the National Security Adviser, civil society organisations, and the international community. The party decried an alleged police crackdown on its members and renewed its demand for Commissioner Gotan's immediate removal, arguing that his continued presence would compromise the credibility of the upcoming governorship election. In a statement, National Chairman of the Accord Party, Maxwell Mgbudem, accused the police of politically motivated harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and detention of approximately 100 Accord leaders, candidates, members, and supporters across Osun State, with some reportedly transferred to Abuja. Mgbudem asserted that these actions constituted a serious assault on Nigeria's democracy and could erode public confidence in the electoral process. He also highlighted that previous complaints lodged with security agencies regarding attacks on the party's campaign council, offices, supporters, and campaign materials had received no meaningful response, with "none of these known hoodlums was arrested, let alone prosecuted."

Further exacerbating tensions was the controversial arrest and subsequent release of Chief Igbalaye Teslim, the Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), along with five others. Teslim was arrested during a police raid on his residence in Osogbo, following allegations of harbouring Oladele Abiodun, also known as Ashipa, who was reportedly on a police watchlist. During the operation, officers recovered significant exhibits, including N4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, and a printer. Other individuals arrested were Akande Taiwo (60), Adeyemo Lukman (45), Olaoye Muftau (50), and Aderemi Musliu (40). The police stated the operation was based on intelligence reports of a criminal gang operating from the location, and raised concerns about possible electoral offences and other criminal activities due to the recovered items.

Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, confirmed the SSG's release less than 24 hours after his arrest, extending appreciation to the Inspector General of Police and Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, for "listening to the voice of reason, despite pressure" and responding to "the people’s demand." Similarly, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed Igbalaye's release. However, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, condemned the incident as an "abuse of office" by CP Ibrahim Gotan. Egbedun recounted that the arrest followed an INEC stakeholders meeting where the Commissioner of Police was booed, and immediately after returning to his seat, he observed the SSG laughing. Gotan then made calls, leading to the SSG receiving an invitation to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on allegations related to N4 million and two voter cards found at his compound from a political party meeting. Egbedun found the allegation insufficient to warrant an arrest and questioned the motive, also alleging prior personal intimidation by the Commissioner of Police.

In light of these developments, the Accord Party reiterated its call for urgent intervention from President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, civil society organisations, and the international community. The party underscored the necessity of safeguarding democratic rule and ensuring a level playing field for all political parties participating in the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, warning that recent actions by security agencies could undermine the poll's credibility. They encouraged eligible voters to obtain their PVCs and actively participate in the election.