Weeks before election, police replace CPs in Tinubu, Atiku’s home state.

The police commissioners in five States have been replaced by Usman Baba, the inspector general of police. The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, released a statement on Tuesday with information about their redeployment.

The removal of the CPs in Lagos and Adamawa is the primary focal point of the shakeup, which was revealed less than three weeks before the general elections.

Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidates for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), respectively, are both from the States.

Adebola A. Hamzat in Adamawa, Emeka Frank Mba in Ogun, Suleiman A. Yusuf from Taraba, Idowu Owohunwa in Lagos, and Faleye S. Olaleye are the new CPs (Ebonyi).

The Police Service Commission must approve the postings, according to a Force spokesperson (PSC).

The Lagos State Police Command denied rumors that Mba had been chosen as the next CP in late January.

Following the disruption of a gathering for Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi in Ebonyi last September, the police faced criticism.

Operatives fired tear gas and chased Obi’s supporters, leaving some injured. The Governor Dave Umahi administration was accused of ordering the clampdown.

In response, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) asked President Muhammadu Buhari to caution governors against disallowing freedom of assembly during campaigns.