The Nigeria Police Force has warned politicians, security personnel and electoral officials against any attempt to manipulate the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, saying suspects arrested for serious electoral offences will be transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for investigation and prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of election security in Osun State, Samuel Erale Etaifo, issued the warning on Wednesday while addressing journalists and Divisional Police Officers at the Police Officers’ Mess in Osogbo.
Etaifo said the police would deploy about 15,000 personnel for the election, including Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), Commissioners of Police (CPs), Police Mobile Force (PMF) operatives and other specialised units to ensure adequate security before, during and after the poll.
Describing the governorship election as a federal assignment, the election security commissioner said electoral offenders would be taken out of Osun State to prevent interference with investigations and prosecution.
“This governorship election is a federal election. Anyone arrested for electoral offences will be taken out of Osun State to the Force Headquarters for further investigation and prosecution. There will be no room for interference,” he said.
Etaifo also warned political actors, electoral officials and security personnel against compromising the electoral process, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force would not tolerate vote-buying, ballot snatching, violence, voter intimidation or any other form of electoral malpractice.
“I want to warn all political actors, security personnel and even INEC officials not to manipulate the election. Anyone found violating the Electoral Act or attempting to undermine the credibility of the process will be held accountable,” he said.
He disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police mandated him to coordinate election security operations and maintain peace across Osun State ahead of the governorship poll.
According to Etaifo, he has already met with Governor Ademola Adeleke to brief him on the assignment and reassure the state government of the police’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful, free and credible election.
