The outgoing governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, was compelled to vacate the premises of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the collation of results for the gubernatorial election held on Saturday in the state.
As per reports, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Frank Mbah, orchestrated the departure of Mr. Obaseki at approximately 4:10 am on Sunday.
This occurrence transpires in the context of protests from members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr. Obaseki had entered the premises unannounced at around 2 am, allegedly to contest certain irregularities in the collation of results from various local government areas, including his own constituency of Oredo.
Officials of INEC purportedly informed him that his presence was unwarranted, similarly to how the candidate from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Asue Ighodalo, had been previously escorted out; however, Mr. Obaseki reportedly insisted on remaining.
At approximately 3 am, a joint contingent of police officers, under the leadership of DIG Frank Mbah, along with soldiers, entered the premises, and by 4:10 am, he was escorted out by security personnel who sternly instructed the governor to “Leave, leave.”
Moments prior to Mr. Obaseki’s removal, Mr. Mbah, accompanied by a contingent of police officers, addressed journalists, stating that the governor had no justification for being present on the premises.
