A tense situation unfolded around 4:10 a.m. when Governor Godwin Obaseki was escorted out of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, premises in Benin by Deputy Inspector General, DIG, of Police, Frank Mba.
Governor Obaseki reportedly entered the premises at approximately 2 a.m., unannounced, allegedly to express concerns over perceived irregularities in the collation of results from certain local government areas, including his own, Oredo.
INEC officials were said to have informed the governor that he was not authorized to be there, noting that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, had earlier been denied access. However, Obaseki was reported to have insisted on staying.
By around 3 a.m., a joint security team, led by DIG Frank Mba and supported by soldiers, arrived at the scene. An hour later, at 4:10 a.m., Obaseki was escorted out by the security personnel, who repeatedly instructed him to “leave, leave.”
Before Obaseki was removed, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, addressed the press, criticizing the governor’s presence, stating, “He is not a candidate. He has no reason to be here,” and described the governor’s actions as an abuse of office.
Earlier that morning, around 3:30 a.m., APC members, led by Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Honourable Dennis Idahosa, had staged a protest, demanding that Governor Obaseki vacate the INEC premises. From outside the gate, Idahosa shouted, “Obaseki must come out. He has no business being here. He is not an INEC staff. The Nigeria Police must not compromise.”
The protesters made several attempts to gain entry into the INEC premises, forcefully banging on the gate, but were ultimately prevented from entering by security personnel.