A potential crisis that could have disrupted the electoral process in Edo State was narrowly averted in the early hours of Sunday at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin, the state capital.
The incident occurred as final collation activities for Saturday’s governorship election were set to commence.
InfoStride News reports that the crisis began shortly after midnight when Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, led a protest to the INEC office, alleging irregularities in the ongoing collation of results.
The governor arrived at the office around 12:47 a.m., accompanied by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, and several supporters.
Upon arrival, Governor Obaseki met with some INEC officials inside the main building, while Ighodalo and others remained outside.
Osarodion Ogie, Ighodalo’s running mate, addressed journalists, accusing the electoral body of failing to comply with established guidelines.
“The irregularities we’re seeing in the collation process are unacceptable. INEC must follow the rules,” Ogie stated.
The tension escalated when, around 3:27 a.m., the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate, Dennis Idahosa, arrived at the scene, accompanied by APC National Secretary Bashiru Ajibola and other party members.
Idahosa demanded the immediate departure of Governor Obaseki from the INEC premises, accusing him of interfering with the electoral process.
“Obaseki, come outside! You have no business inside the INEC office,” Idahosa shouted, causing a brief stand-off at the gate until police allowed him and his team inside.
The situation was diffused with the arrival of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Frank Mbah, who entered the main building to assess the situation.
After a meeting that lasted over an hour, Governor Obaseki left the INEC premises without addressing the press.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ajibola criticised Obaseki’s actions, labelling them as “thuggery” and inappropriate during such a sensitive time.
“It is thuggery for a sitting governor to storm the INEC office during collation. He has no business being here while the process is ongoing,” Ajibola remarked.
Following the incident, INEC postponed the final collation of results until 11 a.m., as both parties prepare for the next phase of the electoral process.
The tense standoff has added to the growing anticipation surrounding the official announcement of the governorship election results.
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