A drama occured at collation center at about 4:10 am as Governor Godwin Obaseki was forced out of the premises of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Benin City. The governor had stormed the INEC office apparently to monitor the collation of votes.

Some members of the All Progressives Congress had stormed the the Independent National Electoral Commission’s office at about 3.30am on Sunday demanding that state Governor Godwin Obeseki should leave the office because he had no reason to be there when results were yet to be. announced.

But drama ensued at about 4:10 am when Governor Godwin Obaseki was forced out of the premises of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Benin by the DIG Frank Mba.

Obaseki had entered the promises unannounced at around 2 am during  the collation of results of some local government areas including his Oredo.

The governor was said to have gained entrance into the premises of INEC on Aduwawa Road, Benin City under the cover of the night and headed straight upstairs, seating close to the Edo REC’s office where the results were being collated before they would be announced.

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The deputy governorship candidate of the APC, Hon Dennis Idahosa who led the protesters was shouting on top of his voice from outside the gate and 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 suppose to be here. He is not an INEC Staff. Nigeria Police should not compromise.”

The protesters at interval tried to gain entrance into the premises of INEC but they were prevented from entering even when the repeatedly banged on the gate.

At some point during the drama, the DIG incharge of the election, Frank Mba, came into them premises with his team and headed straight to where Obaseki was sitting

Obaseki walked out of INEC office

Officials of INEC 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 sent back earlier but he was said to have insisted to stay.

About 3 am, a combined team of policemen led by DIG Frank Mba and soldiers entered the premises and by 4:10 am, he was escorted out of the premises by the security men who shouted at the governor, “Leave, leave.”

Minutes before Obaseki was led outside by Mba flanked by a contingent of policemen, All Progressives Congress National Secretary, Surajudeen 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 All Progressives Congress led by Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Honourable Dennis Idahosa, led protesters to demand the exit of Governor Godwin Obaseki from the premises of the Independent National Electoral Commission at about 3.30am on Sunday.

Idahosa, who was shouting on top of the 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 premises of INEC but they were prevented from entering even when they repeatedly banged on the gate.