The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Mohammed Umar Abba, emphasized the importance of taking action against electoral offenders in addressing election-related challenges.
He also confirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police to contribute towards creating a fair electoral environment in the state.
During a meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, Commissioner Abba expressed readiness to support INEC in ensuring a transparent gubernatorial election in 2026 and emphasized the necessity of enhancing the electoral processes.
Commissioner Abba stated, “Collaboration is crucial to enhancing the electoral process in Osun. Our experience from previous elections, like the one in Kano State in 2023, will be beneficial to INEC in conducting future elections.”
He added, “It is imperative to hold electoral offenders accountable through arrests and prosecution to address electoral offenses effectively.”
Ensuring a clean electoral system and addressing potential electoral discrepancies in the state were also highlighted as key goals by the Commissioner.
Dr. Agboke of Osun INEC echoed the need for a strong partnership between the police and INEC to combat issues such as vote-buying and violence during elections.
He stressed the importance of cooperation between both organizations for the success of electoral processes, stating, “Security support from the Nigeria Police is crucial for INEC to achieve success in organizing elections.”
Dr. Agboke further mentioned the significance of engaging with political parties and stakeholders to promote a fair and transparent electoral environment.
Both parties expressed optimism that collaboration and proactive measures would create a conducive atmosphere for the upcoming elections and deter any election-related misconduct.