The Nigerian police have forced Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State out of the premises of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin, Edo State.
Obaseki was on the premises early on Sunday morning at some minutes past 2am.
The governor headed for office of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), where he held a closed-door meeting.
While there, some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stormed INEC office in protest.
Among the protesters were Ajibola Basiru, National Secretary of the APC, and Dennis Idahosa, running mate to Senator Monday Okpebholo, governorship candidate of the APC.
On his part, Idahosa 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 tried to gain entrance into INEC premises but they were prevented by armed security operatives.
However, they banged the gate repeatedly while shouting on top of their voices.
Speaking with journalists, National Secretary of APC, Surajudeen Basiru, described Obaseki’s action as abuse of office.
Basiru said: “Obaseki is not a candidate. He has no reason to be here, the governor’s action as abuse of office.”
Amid the brewing tension, Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Edo election, Frank Mba, walked into the INEC office and asked the governor to leave.
Obaseki, who was not paying full attention, had his focus elsewhere, making the senior police office to go tough.
“Please, leave here!” he ordered before policemen escorted Obaseki out of INEC premises.
However, moments after the governor left, INEC announced that collation of election results would commence at 10am.
It is unclear if the collation was the main issue discussed at the meeting.
