The outgoing governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, was escorted out of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) premises early Sunday morning during the collation of results for the state’s governorship election.
According to reports, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Frank Mbah, facilitated Obaseki’s exit at around 4:10 a.m. on Sunday. This development followed protests from members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obaseki had reportedly entered the INEC premises unannounced at around 2:00 a.m., allegedly to contest anomalies in the collation of results from several local government areas, including his own, Oredo.
INEC officials informed him that he had no right to be present, as earlier the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, had also been asked to leave. However, Obaseki insisted on staying.
By 3:00 a.m., a combined team of police officers led by DIG Mbah, along with soldiers, entered the premises. At 4:10 a.m., the governor was escorted out by security personnel, who reportedly shouted, “Leave, leave,” as they led him away.
Just before Obaseki’s removal, APC National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, addressed journalists, stating that the governor had no legitimate reason to be at the INEC premises. “He is not a candidate. He has no reason to be here,” Basiru remarked, calling Obaseki’s presence an abuse of office.
Earlier, protests led by APC members, including Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Honourable Dennis Idahosa, demanded Obaseki’s removal from the premises. Idahosa, shouting from outside the INEC gate, stated, “Obaseki must come out. He is not supposed to be here. He is not an INEC staff. Nigeria Police should not compromise.”
At various intervals, protesters attempted to enter the INEC premises but were blocked by security personnel, despite banging on the gate in an effort to gain entry.
As the collation of results continues, data from INEC’s Result Viewing Portal shows that 98.23 percent of results from polling units have been uploaded, with the race narrowing down between the APC and the PDP candidates.
