Our reporter
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a statement regarding the late-night visit of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to its State office and collation centre on Sunday.
Governor Obaseki arrived unannounced at the INEC collation centre around 2 AM, reportedly to protest alleged discrepancies in the results from certain local government areas, including Oredo.
However, after a brief stay, he was escorted out of the premises by a combined team of police and military personnel led by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mba, at approximately 4:10 AM.
The APC National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, commented on the incident, asserting that Obaseki had no justification for being there, as he is not a candidate in the ongoing elections. “He is not a candidate.
He has no reason to be here,” Basiru stated, labeling the governor’s actions as an abuse of office.
Earlier in the night, the PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo also faced a similar fate, being turned away from the collation Centre.
In response to the escalating tensions, APC members, led by Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Honourable Dennis Idahosa, organized a protest around 3:30 AM, demanding that Governor Obaseki leave the premises.
During a press conference on Sunday, INEC’s National Commissioner and Member of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, condemned the actions of the political figures present, describing them as “uncalled for.”
He emphasised the importance of maintaining order during the electoral process, stating, “Nobody should disrupt the process at any stage, and no one will be allowed to benefit from lawlessness.”
