TheCable

As part of preparations for the governorship election in Osun state, the police service commission redeployed two different commissioners to the state within 48 hours.

Mrs. Dorothy Gimba, state commissioner of police since last year (pictured), was replaced with Mr. Ibrahim Maishanu on Thursday – just two days to the governorship election scheduled to hold on Saturday.

But just as the new commissioner was settling down, Mr. Augustine Evabakhabokun was announced as ‘commissioner in charge of Osun gubernatorial election’.

In his first media media address at the headquarters of the Osun state police command,  Okefia, Oshogbo, on Friday, Evabakhabokun warned  politicians to return to their homes after casting their votes on Saturday, saying monitoring of election results should be handled by electoral officers.

He also warned that those who intend to stay around after voting should move 300 metres away from the polling station so as to avoid loitering.

He urged politicians to be of good conduct, and revealed that all escorts and orderly attached to highly-placed personalities in the state had been withdrawn.

“Politicians are advised to play by the rules. Political office holders and all important personalities who are not directly involved in the conduct of the election should peacefully cast their votes and return to their homes,” he said.

“On no account must they be involved in the monitoring of elections, as the police will ensure we enforce to the letter all laws relating to the electoral act. Law breakers will be appropriately dealt with in accordance with the electoral law.

“No politician or individual should carry fire arms to voting units. You are not supposed to come with any arms; you are not supposed to come with any orderly. So, you vote and go away.”

However, he assured the people of Osun of adequate security, encouraging them not to be frightened by the heavy security presence, because the officers were only there to protect and guide them.

But responding to the security reshuffling, governor of the state, Rauf Aregbesola, described the exit of Gimba as very painful, saying the state recorded tremendous security achievements under her watch.

“If I say I am satisfied with your exit from the state, I am not telling the truth, more so that this is the time experience would count in police administration and maintenance of law and order,” Aregbesola said at a sendoff ceremony organised for Gimba.

“We have had a gradual restoration of law and order and security challenges have reduced to barest minimum to the extent that the state is known to be one of the most peaceful in the federation.”

He thanked her for her “commitment and dedication” and urged the new commissioner not to engage in any act capable of jeopardising the peace of the state.