OSOGBO, Nigeria — Members and supporters of the Accord Party in Osun State on Wednesday booed the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission in Osogbo.

The incident occurred while Gotan was delivering his address. A video of the meeting showed party members shouting and booing the Commissioner, forcing a brief pause in his presentation.

Accord Party chieftains and members have at different times alleged that Gotan is sympathetic to the All Progressives Congress and expressed doubt over his ability to remain neutral in providing security for the August 15 governorship election.

The meeting was attended by INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, representatives of political parties, security agencies and civil society organisations. Officials of INEC and other stakeholders intervened and appealed to the Accord members to allow the meeting to continue. Normalcy was later restored and the programme proceeded.

Addressing the gathering, Amupitan urged all political parties to conduct themselves peacefully and to have confidence in the electoral process. He reiterated INEC’s commitment to delivering a credible, free and fair governorship election in Osun.

As of the time of the report, the Osun State Police Command had not issued an official response to the allegations. The Command had earlier declared its readiness to provide adequate security before, during and after the election.