Tense Atmosphere in Edo: Obaseki, Ighodalo Escorted Out of INEC Collation Centre Amid Protests

Tensions ran high in Edo State as Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo visited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) state office and collation centre in the early hours of Sunday, sparking controversy during the final collation of results for the governorship election.

Governor Obaseki arrived unannounced at the INEC collation centre around 2am to express concerns over perceived anomalies in the collation of results from local government areas, including his own constituency in Oredo.

However, his presence was deemed unnecessary, and by 4:10am, a combined team of security personnel, led by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Mba, escorted him out of the premises.

INEC officials, in response to the situation, expressed their disapproval of the unexpected visit. “We are similarly disturbed by the overnight presence and demonstrations by some political actors and their supporters at our State Head Office ahead of the commencement of final collation. These actions are uncalled for. Nobody should disrupt the process at any stage and no one will be allowed to benefit from lawlessness,” said Mohammed Haruna, INEC’s National Commissioner and member of the Information and Voter Education Committee.

At around 3am, while Obaseki was still inside, protesters led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, and Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Honourable Dennis Idahosa, demanded the governor’s exit from the premises. Basiru questioned the governor’s presence, stating, “He is not a candidate. He has no reason to be here,” and called the governor’s actions an abuse of office.

Like Obaseki, Ighodalo was similarly sent away from the premises.

The incident has heightened the tension surrounding the governorship election in Edo State, with INEC urging all political actors to respect the process and avoid disrupting the collation of results.