Benin City, Nigeria – In the early hours of Sunday, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, was escorted out of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) premises in Benin by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Frank Mba.
Obaseki, who had arrived at the premises shortly after 2 a.m., remained there until around 3:30 a.m., when protests led by Dennis Idahosa, the running mate of Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), erupted. The protesters demanded Obaseki’s immediate removal, questioning his presence since he was not a candidate in the ongoing gubernatorial election.
As tensions rose, mobile policemen on the premises were heard shouting at the governor, urging him to “Leave, leave,” while he was being escorted out by DIG Mba, flanked by a contingent of police officers. The APC National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, addressed the media, stating that Obaseki had no legitimate reason to be on the premises, describing his actions as an “abuse of office.”
It was reported that Obaseki had entered the INEC premises under the cover of darkness, heading directly to a location close to the Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner’s office, where results were being collated.
Despite repeated efforts by protesters to gain entry to the premises, they were blocked by security forces, leading to rising tension until Obaseki’s eventual departure.
