Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki was asked to leave the premises of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin City early this morning as the collation of results from the state’s governorship election was ongoing.
Reports indicate that Obaseki arrived at the INEC office around 2 a.m., reportedly to express concerns about irregularities in the collation process in certain areas, including his local government, Oredo.
However, his presence at the premises sparked protests from members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who argued that he had no official role in the process and was not a candidate in the election.
Around 4:10 a.m., a combined security team led by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Frank Mbah intervened and escorted Obaseki out of the INEC office.
Before his removal, tensions had escalated outside the INEC office, with APC supporters, led by Dennis Idahosa, the running mate of their candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, protesting Obaseki’s presence.
Idahosa and other APC members insisted that the governor had no business being there and demanded his immediate exit.
APC National Secretary Surajudeen Basiru addressed journalists at the premises saying, “He is not a candidate. He has no reason to be here.” He also accused Obaseki of abusing his position by remaining at the premises.
Despite attempts by protesters to storm the INEC premises, they were held back by security personnel.
As results continued to be collated, INEC’s Result Viewing Portal showed that over 98 percent of polling unit results had been uploaded, with the race narrowing between the APC and the PDP candidates.
