The Nigeria Police Force has appointed a new Commissioner of Police for Osun State, Samuel Erale, ahead of the August 15 governorship election, replacing Ibrahim Gotan.
Confirming the deployment on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said Erale had been assigned to coordinate security operations for the forthcoming governorship poll.
While the police did not disclose the reason for Gotan’s redeployment, the development comes after months of criticism from the Osun State Government, political stakeholders and civil society organisations over allegations that the former commissioner handled politically sensitive matters with bias.
Gotan’s redeployment followed the release of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, who regained his freedom less than 24 hours after he was arrested alongside five others during a police operation at his residence over allegations of vote-buying and harbouring a wanted suspect.
The arrest generated widespread reactions, with the Osun State Government and the ruling Accord Party accusing security agencies of intimidating government officials ahead of the August 15 governorship election.