Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stormed the INEC office in protest after learning that Governor Godwin Obaseki allegedly entered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin at 3 a.m. on Sunday.
Obaseki, accompanied by his aide, reportedly headed to the office of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), where he held a closed-door meeting.
However, Dennis Idahosa, running mate to Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC governorship candidate, along with Ajibola Basiru, National Secretary of the APC, and other APC loyalists, insisted that the governor must leave the INEC office.
The protesters tried to force their way into the INEC premises, repeatedly hitting the gate and shouting at the top of their voices, but they were prevented by armed security operatives.
Speaking with journalists, APC National Secretary Surajudeen Basiru described Obaseki’s action as an abuse of office.
Basiru said: “Obaseki is not a candidate. He has no reason to be here. The governor’s actions are an abuse of office.”
Incensed by the governor’s actions, Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Edo election, Frank Mba, entered the INEC office and asked the governor to leave.
Obaseki, seemingly distracted, did not pay full attention, prompting the senior police officer to become firm.
“Please, leave now!” Mba demanded, before policemen escorted Obaseki out of the INEC premises.
Shortly after the governor left, INEC announced that the collation of election results would commence at 10 a.m.