INEC Speaks On Obaseki’s Visit To Edo Collation Centre

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reacted strongly to the surprise visit by Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and several members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to its state office and collation centre on Sunday.

Governor Obaseki reportedly arrived at the INEC collation centre in Benin City just before 5.00 a.m to protest alleged irregularities in the results from some local government areas, including his own, Oredo. However, the governor was informed that his presence was unnecessary and not permitted at the collation centre.

By 5:10 a.m, Obaseki was escorted out of the premises by a combined team of police officers led by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mba and Nigerian Army personnel. Prior to this, the APC National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, criticized Obaseki’s actions, stating, “He is not a candidate. He has no reason to be here,” and called the governor’s visit an abuse of office.

Earlier, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, had also been denied entry into the collation centre, further fueling tensions.

Meanwhile, members of the APC, including Honourable Dennis Idahosa, running mate of APC candidate Monday Okpebholo, staged protests demanding Obaseki’s removal from the premises around 3:30 AM.

In a press conference later today, INEC’s National Commissioner and Member of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, addressed the incident, calling the actions of Obaseki and other political actors “uncalled for.”

“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,” Haruna stated.

The electoral body stressed that the integrity of the collation process remains a priority and urged all parties to respect the procedures in place for a transparent and credible election outcome.
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