It was a dramatic scene at about 4:10am on Sunday morning when the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, stormed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin City, and was forced out of the premises by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police Frank Mba.
LEADERSHIP reports that the INEC office in Benin City serves as the Collation Centre for the September 21 governorship election in the State.
Obaseki had stormed the premises unannounced at about 2am to protest some alleged anomalies in the collation of election results from some local government areas of the State, including his Oredo LGA.
But, INEC officials were said to have told him that he was not supposed to be there just as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was earlier sent back.
At about 3am, a combined team of policemen led by DIG Mba and personnel of the Nigerian Army entered the premises and eventually ordered Obaseki out of the INEC office at about 4:10am with the security men shouting, “Leave, leave.”
Minutes before Obaseki was led outside by DIG Mba flanked by a contingent of policemen, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, addressed journalists that the governor had no reason to be in the premises.
Basiru said, “He is not a candidate. He has no reason to be here,” describing the governor’s action as abuse of office.
Earlier, members of the APC led by Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, led protesters to demand the exit of Governor Obaseki from the INEC office at about 3:30am on Sunday.
Idahosa, who was shouting on top of his voice from outside the gate, demanded alongside others for the removal of the governor as he stated that he had no business being there.
He said, “Obaseki must come out. He is not supposed to be here. He is not an INEC staff. Nigeria Police should not compromise.”
The protesters at intervals tried to gain entrance into the INEC office but they were prevented from entering even when they repeatedly banged on the gate.
