Edo Election: Police remove Obaseki from INEC office after APC protests

A dramatic scene unfolded around 4:10 AM when Governor Godwin Obaseki was escorted out of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) premises in Benin City by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Frank Mba.

Governor Obaseki reportedly entered the INEC office unannounced around 2 AM, allegedly to protest irregularities in the collation of results from some local government areas, including his home local government area, Oredo.

INEC officials informed the governor that he was not permitted to remain at the premises, citing the earlier removal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo. However, Obaseki insisted on staying.

At approximately 3 AM, a combined team of policemen, led by DIG Frank Mba and soldiers, arrived at the scene. By 4:10 AM, Obaseki was escorted out by security personnel, who repeatedly told him, “Leave, leave.”

Before Obaseki’s removal, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Surajudeen Basiru, addressed journalists, asserting that the governor had no legitimate reason to be there.

“He is not a candidate. He has no reason to be here,” Basiru said, labelling the governor’s presence as an abuse of office.

Earlier, members of the APC, led by Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Dennis Idahosa, protested outside the INEC office around 3:30 AM, demanding that Governor Obaseki leave the premises. Idahosa, shouting from outside the gate, insisted that the governor had no business being there.

“Obaseki must come out. He is not supposed to be here. He is not an INEC staff. Nigeria Police should not compromise,” Idahosa declared.

The protesters attempted to force their way into the INEC premises several times but were prevented by security personnel, even as they repeatedly banged on the gate.