The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has responded to visits by 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 at the INEC collation centre unannounced around 2 AM to protest alleged anomalies in the collation of results from several local government areas, including his own, Oredo. However, he was informed that his presence was not required.
By 3 AM, a combined team of policemen led by DIG Frank Mba, along with Nigerian Army personnel, entered the premises, and by 4:10 AM, they escorted Obaseki out of the building.
Read Also: BREAKING: #EdoDecides2024: Why I Visited INEC Collation Centre – Obaseki
Before Obaseki’s exit, APC National Secretary Surajudeen Basiru addressed journalists, stating that the governor had no valid reason to be at the collation centre.
Basiru said, “He is not a candidate. He has no reason to be here”, describing the governor’s action as an abuse of office.
Earlier, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was also asked to leave the collation centre.
At around 3:30 AM on Sunday, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, arrived with protesters demanding the removal of Governor Obaseki from the premises.
During a press conference on Sunday, INEC’s National Commissioner and member of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, reacted to the situation, stating that the actions of Obaseki and others were “uncalled for.”
It said, “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.”
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2Z
