The political landscape in Edo State grew tense early Sunday morning when Governor Godwin Obaseki was escorted out of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation center in Benin by Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Frank Mba.
Obaseki arrived unannounced around 2 AM to protest alleged anomalies in the collation of results, particularly in his Oredo Local Government Area.
Despite his objections, Obaseki was informed that his presence was unnecessary, and by 4:10 AM, he was escorted out by DIG Mba and security personnel. Prior to this, at 3 AM, a team of policemen and Nigerian Army personnel had entered the premises to maintain order.
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Surajudeen Basiru, told reporters that Obaseki had no legitimate reason to be at the collation center, labeling his actions as an abuse of office.
Earlier in the night, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was also turned away from the premises. Protests led by the APC, including members of the party and Dennis Idahosa, running mate of APC candidate Monday Okpebholo, demanded Obaseki’s removal from the center.
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The PDP later accused the APC of pressuring INEC and Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Anugbum Onuoha to halt the collation of results to manipulate the outcome in favor of the APC. PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba urged INEC to resist these pressures and ensure that the integrity of polling unit results remains intact.
In response, INEC acknowledged receiving complaints of discrepancies in the election results and pledged to investigate any confirmed violations.
