OSOGBO, Nigeria — With the Osun State Governorship Election approaching on Saturday, August 15, 2026, a disagreement over security neutrality and fair play has broken out between the Accord Party and the Nigeria Police Command.

The controversy follows accusations raised by political actors regarding the deployment of tactical police units and potential bias ahead of the poll.

Representing the ruling administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, leadership from the Accord Party expressed concerns over selective security enforcement and the perceived intimidation of party supporters.

The party urged police leadership in Abuja and the Osun State Command to ensure absolute professionalism, stressing that security agencies must not be weaponized by opposition forces to suppress voter turnout in Accord strongholds.

"An election can only be deemed credible when voters feel safe and the security forces remain completely unaligned," an Accord representative stated, calling on the Inspector-General of Police to monitor field officers closely during campaign rallies.

Responding to the allegations, the Nigeria Police Command firmly rejected claims of political bias, reassuring the public and all political parties of its strict neutrality.

Police authorities emphasized that tactical deployments across Osun State are routine security measures designed to deter political thugs, prevent inter-party clashes, and protect election materials ahead of election day.

"The Police Force belongs to all Nigerians and does not take sides in democratic contests," a police spokesperson asserted. "Our mandate is solely to enforce the law, maintain public peace, and guarantee a safe environment for every voter on August 15."

The exchange comes as civil society organizations and election monitoring groups step up calls for peaceful conduct among political parties in Osun.

With INEC’s Permanent Voter Card (PVC) distribution exercise currently underway across all 30 Local Government Areas, security agencies have promised to scale up joint patrols to safeguard collection centers and maintain order across the state.