By Peter Usman
Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has commended what he called the high level of professionalism, politeness, firmness and unbiased conducts of the police personnel, before, during and after the just concluded Osun state gubernatorial election.
The IGP also commended other security and safety agencies deployed for the election.
In a statement, the IGP declared that there were no official complaints of violence or injury to persons reported at any police station/division in all the seven units where the re-run election was held on 27th September, 2018.
He therefore implored members of the public to disregard and discountenance claims in some sections of the media that security agencies intimidated journalists, election observers and voters during the re-run election.
According to him, “The Nigeria Police Force appreciates the law abiding attitude and peaceful conduct of the good people of Osun State during the Election.
Idris stated that the good disposition and spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by most of the political parties in the election which doused fear and tensions during the election was gratifying and highly commendable.
“We commend the Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIGP, Department of Operations, the entire police personnel, officers and men of other security and safety agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES deployed for election security during the just concluded Osun state gubernatorial election, and the re-run election of thursday, 27th September, 2018.
“The IGP appreciates the commitment and civility of the entire security personnel in ensuring adequate security and conducive environment for a credible gubernatorial election in Osun State.
“The impressive performance of the police personnel to ensure law and order and a successful election is a clear testimony of the capability of the Nigeria Police Force in its renewed commitment to continue to adhere to international best practices in the conduct of elections in the country now and in the future.
“As a lead security agency in election security in a democracy, the IGP further commends the entire security personnel deployed for the election for their personal sacrifice, collective patriotism and commitment in ensuring that the election was conducted in an atmosphere of peace devoid of any breach of public peace and security throughout the period of the election.
“The Nigeria Police Force will continue to sustain and improve on the election security successes recorded in the gubernatorial elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti States and the just concluded gubernatorial election in Osun State as an index for the conduct of subsequent elections in the country” he said.