Osun 2026: National, state lawmakers call for redeployment of police commissioner

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

Members of the national and state assemblies from Osun State on Friday called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, to immediately redeploy the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.

Addressing a press conference in Osogbo, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olumide Egbedun, who spoke on behalf of the National and State Assembly caucus, alleged that the Commissioner of Police had become an accomplice in plans to destabilise the state and undermine its democratic institutions.

The lawmakers also accused the police command of failing to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators of recent violent attacks in the state, despite claims that some of the incidents occurred in broad daylight and were captured on video recordings.

According to the caucus, the inability of security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for the attacks has emboldened criminal elements and heightened public concerns about the safety of lives and property in the state.

The lawmakers further claimed that the commissioner had not regularly attended meetings of the State Security Council since assuming office on May 11, 2025, saying that “he has not deemed it fit to attend the State Security Council meeting more than twice. On all other occasions, he either sent retired personnel or officers junior to other service commanders to represent him.”

“On account of the foregoing, we hereby call on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, to immediately redeploy the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Gotan, who has shown himself to be partisan, highly compromised and incapable of providing effective security support for the people of Osun State,” Egbedun said.

The caucus urged President Bola Tinubu to direct security agencies operating in Osun State to maintain neutrality, professionalism and zero tolerance for violence before, during and after the August 15 governorship election.

They also appealed to civil society organisations, the media, the National Peace Committee and the international community to pay close attention to developments in Osun State as the election approaches.