The Imole Campaign Council, the campaign organisation supporting Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has backed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the police and other security agencies to remain professional and neutral during Saturday’s governorship election.
The council said the presidential directive was necessary to ensure the protection of voters and the credibility of the electoral process.
In a statement issued on Friday in Osogbo, the council’s spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, urged the Nigeria Police Force to comply fully with the directive and discharge its responsibilities without bias.
“The Imole Campaign Council welcomes the statement by President Bola Tinubu calling on the police and other security agencies to be neutral and professional in Saturday’s governorship election,” Olajengbesi said.
He also highlighted the President’s instruction to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other security chiefs to provide maximum security at polling units and protect voters.
“The President’s directive to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and other heads of security outfits participating in the election to provide maximum security at polling units and protect voters needs to be stressed,” he said.
The campaign council also welcomed the President’s call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a transparent, free and fair election.
It, however, expressed concern over what it described as the police’s lack of professional neutrality in recent months, urging the force to ensure that its personnel remain impartial during the poll.
“The Imole Campaign Council calls on the police to obey the presidential order and discharge their duties dispassionately on Saturday,” the statement said.
The council further called on the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to ensure compliance with the presidential directive.
“Voters must be protected. Polling units must be guarded. Troublemakers must be arrested regardless of party affiliation. Ultimately, votes must count,” it said.
The council urged security agencies to prevent intimidation and ensure that all eligible voters are allowed to exercise their franchise freely.
It also appealed to the people of Osun State to turn out and vote for their preferred candidates.