The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, met with representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to discuss security preparations for the forthcoming Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026.
The meeting, held at the Force Headquarters, focused on addressing key security concerns ahead of the poll and strengthening collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and civil society groups to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
The CSO delegation was led by Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, and included representatives of YIAGA Africa, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Kimpact Development Initiative, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, Partners West Africa, the CLEEN Foundation, and other organisations.
During the engagement, the civil society groups presented observations and recommendations on election security, highlighting issues such as voter protection, political violence, misinformation, and the participation of vulnerable groups in the electoral process.
Responding, Disu assured the delegation that the concerns raised would receive due attention, adding that the police would take the necessary measures to address them.
The Inspector-General reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to professionalism, impartiality, and neutrality throughout the election, stressing that adequate security personnel would be deployed to polling units across the state.
Describing the Osun governorship poll as the last off-cycle election before the 2027 general elections, Disu said the exercise would serve as an important test of the country’s electoral preparedness.
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He urged all stakeholders to support efforts aimed at ensuring a peaceful, transparent, and credible election capable of strengthening public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
The police chief further called for sustained collaboration with civil society organisations through the timely sharing of credible information and responsible public communication before, during, and after the election.
