Ahead of the August 15 gubernatorial election, the Nigeria Police Force has appointed Samuel Erale as the new Commissioner of Police for Osun State, taking over the role from Ibrahim Gotan.
DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the state police spokesperson, confirmed on Friday that Erale has arrived to manage security protocols for the upcoming voting exercise.
While no formal justification was provided for replacing Gotan, the decision arrives following sustained pressure from the Osun State administration, political figures, and civic organizations regarding claims of partiality in politically charged investigations.
This personnel change occurred one day after Teslim Igbalaye, the Secretary to the State Government, was released from custody. Igbalaye had been detained alongside five individuals during a raid on his home involving accusations of harboring a fugitive and vote-buying.
The raid prompted intense condemnation from both the state government and the Accord Party, with officials claiming that security services were utilizing intimidation tactics against the administration as the election draws near.
