It was a dramatic scene at about 4:10 am on Sunday when the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki was forced out of the premises of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Frank Mba.
Obaseki had entered the promises unannounced at around 2 am allegedly to protest some anomalies in the collation of results of some local government areas including his Oredo.
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.
About 3 am, a combined team of policemen led by DIG Mba and personnel of the Nigerian Army entered the premises and by 4:10 am, escorting Obaseki 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, the All Progressives Congress (APC) 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 APC led by Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Honourable Dennis Idahosa, led protesters to demand the exit of Governor Obaseki from the premises 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.
