Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has been forced out of the premises of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Benin by the DIG Frank Mba.
Obaseki was on the premises early on Sunday morning at some minutes past 2am and was there until he was escorted outside by the police.
PUNCH Online earlier reported that members of the All Progressives Congress, led by Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Dennis Idahosa, led protesters to demand the exit of Obaseki from the premises of the Independent National Electoral Commission at about 3.30am on Sunday.
As he was being escorted out of the premises, mobile policemen deployed to the INEC office shouted at the governor, “Leave, leave.”
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.
Basiru said, “He is not a candidate. He has no reason to be here”, describing the governor’s action as abuse of office.
The governor was said to have gained entrance into the premises of INEC on Aduwawa Road, Benin City, under the cover of the night and headed straight upstairs, sitting close to the Edo REC’s office where the results were being collated before they would be announced.
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.
At some point during the drama, the DIG in charge of the election, Frank Mba, came into the premises with his team and headed straight to where Obaseki was sitting.