By Ebenezer Adurokiya and Micheal Chukwuebuka From Osogbo
OSOGBO — The Osun State Police Command has assured residents that Saturday’s governorship election is proceeding smoothly, with the state’s top security officer vowing to personally monitor proceedings across the state.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondents at the state command headquarters, the Commissioner of Police for the Osun governorship election, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, declared that security forces are fully prepared and have been deployed to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
“We have said this continuously that we are prepared and election has started,” CP Erale stated. “I need to go round to know what is happening. I am getting reports from everywhere but I still need to go out to see things for myself but as far as we are concerned, election is going on smoothly.”
The Commissioner’s remarks come amid heightened security across the state, with over 15,000 police officers deployed to cover all 30 local government areas. The Nigeria Police Force has also deployed helicopters and drone units for aerial surveillance.
CP Erale issued a direct appeal to voters, urging them to come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise without fear. “My advice to the electorate is to come out and exercise their franchise. We are here for you, the naval police is here too so come out,” he said.
The Police have also previously warned politicians against attempting to manipulate the electoral process, stressing that anyone found violating electoral laws would be arrested and prosecuted . A Deputy Inspector-General of Police has been deployed to coordinate the security operation, working alongside other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
Security personnel have been instructed to remain impartial and professional, with four police officers deployed to each polling unit . Movement restrictions have been imposed across the state from midnight to ensure a seamless election.
