The Nigeria Police Force has deployed a new Commissioner of Police (CP), Samuel Erale, to oversee the forthcoming August 15 gubernatorial election in Osun State.
Erale’s deployment comes after months of persistent calls from the state government and the Accord Party for the removal of CP Ibrahim Gotan.
Gotan was alleged partisanship and poor handling of election-related security.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the deployment to Erale to replace Gotan on Friday.
“What we have is that election CP is being deployed to Osun State. Although he is yet to report or assume office,” Ojelabi told PREMIUM TIMES.
Although the police have yet to officially announce the reason for the redeployment, the development follows sustained criticism of Mr Gotan’s leadership, particularly over the command’s handling of politically sensitive incidents and election-related violence in the state.
