OSOGBO, Osun State — The Accord Party has called for the immediate removal of Ibrahim Gotan, Osun State Commissioner of Police, over his alleged failure to stem persistent attacks on its members ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Joseph Omorogbe, Accord National Publicity Secretary, said the party has lost confidence in the police commissioner’s ability to safeguard lives and property, citing a series of attacks on its members and supporters in recent weeks.
The party alleged that despite several reports and complaints to the police command, no action has been taken to arrest the perpetrators or prevent further attacks. According to Omorogbe, the attacks have intensified as the governorship election approaches, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation among Accord supporters.
The party warned that the alleged inaction by the police could compromise the credibility of the upcoming election and discourage citizens from participating in the democratic process. It called on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately redeploy the commissioner and replace him with an officer who would ensure the safety of all political actors.
The Accord Party also appealed to the Osun State Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure a level playing field for all parties and to take proactive measures to guarantee the security of voters and candidates during the election.
The Osun State Police Command has yet to issue an official response to the allegations. However, the Commissioner of Police has previously stated that the command is committed to ensuring a peaceful and secure environment for the election.
The call for the removal of the police commissioner adds to the growing tension in Osun State ahead of the governorship poll, with political parties expressing concerns about the conduct of security agencies. The Accord Party’s demand is likely to heighten scrutiny of the police’s role in the election and the state’s overall security preparedness.
As the August 15 election approaches, political stakeholders and citizens are watching closely to see how the police and other security agencies will handle the security challenges in the state. For now, the Accord Party has made its position clear, and the ball is in the court of the police leadership to respond to the allegations.
