Osun gets new police commissioner amid election fallout

The Nigeria Police Force has replaced the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, with Ibrahim Zungura. This redeployment comes less than two weeks after the conclusion of the Osun governorship election. Gotan had faced sustained criticism from political actors and civil society groups who accused the state police command of not being impartial in handling politically sensitive matters leading up to the election.

Osagie Ojelabi, the Osun State Police spokesperson, confirmed the development, stating that a press release detailing the new commissioner's deployment and Gotan's transfer would be issued. Zungura was among 17 Deputy Commissioners promoted to Commissioner of Police in July and was previously in charge of Training and Courses at the Police Academy in Kano.

Gotan's tenure had become controversial, with Governor Ademola Adeleke's administration repeatedly criticizing the police command for alleged partisan conduct. In January, the state government accused the command of "unacceptable partisan conduct" over the arrest of a governor's aide. Intensifying criticism in June saw Accord Party lawmakers accuse Gotan of failing to respond adequately to politically motivated attacks. A coalition of civil society groups also called for his redeployment, citing concerns about confidence in policing the election.

The police leadership stated that Gotan's removal was not a disciplinary action but a measure to restore confidence in the command. Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu explained that the decision followed complaints from political stakeholders who had lost confidence in Gotan's neutrality, aiming to ensure a fair policing of the election.

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Yes, but we will drop a press release before the night.