Drama, intrigue, and persuasion unfolded at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin City on Sunday morning as Governor Godwin Obaseki was escorted from the premises by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Frank Mba around 4:10 am.
Obaseki had stealthily entered the INEC office at about 2 am, heading directly to the office of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, where the final results of Saturday’s governorship election were to be collated. His presence there was reportedly prompted by concerns that attempts were underway to allegedly alter the results in favor of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
Sources indicated that the governor had informed his political allies of his intention to investigate the situation and raise concerns regarding irregularities observed in the results from various local government areas, including Oredo, where he had cast his vote.
Obaseki’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had established three Situation Rooms in Benin City and one in each of the three senatorial districts, equipped with advanced technology to monitor the election results closely.
While INEC officials informed Obaseki that he was not authorized to be on the premises—similar to the earlier dismissal of PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo—he resolutely insisted on remaining. Disregarding attempts to persuade him to leave, he stood his ground.
At approximately 3 am, a team of police, led by DIG Mba, who had been assigned by Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to oversee the election, entered the premises alongside military personnel and other security forces.
The tense standoff between the governor and security officials continued for over an hour until, at around 4:10 am, he was seen being led out by the armed men, who barked military commands: “Move, move.” Throughout the ordeal, Obaseki remained composed as he was escorted out, flanked by security officers.
Adding to the scene, APC National Secretary Surajudeen Basiru addressed journalists, asserting that the governor had no justification for being in the INEC office. “He is not a candidate. He has no reason to be here,” Basiru emphasized, claiming that Obaseki’s actions constituted an abuse of office.
Earlier, APC deputy governorship candidate Dennis Idahosa had led a group of protesters demanding Obaseki’s removal from the premises.
