Edo guber: Obaseki escorted from INEC premises amidst election result collation

Early Sunday morning, a dramatic scene unfolded at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) premises in Benin, Edo State, as Governor Godwin Obaseki was escorted out by security forces.

Obaseki reportedly voiced worries about possible irregularities in the collation process for numerous local government areas, including his own, Oredo, when he arrived at the INEC office at around two in the morning.

According to reports, INEC officials told the governor that it was improper for him to be present. This was in line with previous directives issued to Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, who was also forced to leave. Obaseki did not leave the INEC headquarters in spite of this.

A joint squad of troops and police officers, under the command of DIG Frank Mba, arrived at the INEC location at three in the morning; Obaseki was led away by security guards around 4:10 in the morning.

Prior to Obaseki’s departure, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, addressed the press, stating, “He is not a candidate. He has no reason to be here,” Basiru characterized the governor’s actions as an abuse of office.

The incident followed a protest led by APC members, including Honourable Dennis Idahosa, who demanded Obaseki’s removal from the INEC premises, asserting that he had no legitimate reason to be present.