#EdoDecides2024: Why I visited INEC collation center

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki gave an explanation for his early-morning visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission collation center in Benin City, the state capital.

According to earlier reports, the governor arrived at the INEC premises early on Sunday morning, at approximately two in the morning, and remained there until the police, under the command of Deputy Inspector General Frank Mba, carried him outside.

Protesters demanding Obaseki’s departure from the Independent National Electoral Commission premises at approximately 3.30 am on Sunday were led by members of the All Progressives Congress, including Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Dennis Idahosa.

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 on the premises.

Addressing journalists on Sunday at the Peoples Democratic Party Situation Room in Benin, Obaseki said he was at the INEC office to meet the Resident Electoral Commission after getting reports that the commission had stopped collation.

He said, “At about 1 am, I got a report that collation was supposed to have been moved to the INEC head office. I also got reports from our agents that PDP agents were not allowed into the collation centre.

“At that point in time, I called the REC to find an explanation of what was going on. There was no response, and I then went to the INEC office to meet with the REC and to understand what steps INEC was taken to continue the process of collation.”