Edo Decides: Obaseki Marched Out of INEC Office by Security Operatives

It was a most humiliating moment for Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State when he was marched out of the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, by security operatives led by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Frank Mba, at around 4 am Sunday morning.

It was the high point of a drama that started around 2 am when the governor smuggled himself into INEC premises unannounced ostensibly to protest alleged manipulation of results of Saturday’s governorship election filtering into the situation room of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP from some local government areas including Oredo local government where he hails from.

Officials of INEC were said to have politely told him that he was not supposed to be present there just as the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo had been sent back earlier, but he was adamant.

However, at about 3 am, a combined team of policemen and soldiers led by DIIG Mba arrived the premises, and by 4:10 am, he was escorted out by the security operatives who barked at him, “Leave, leave.”

Minutes before Governor Obaseki was escorted outside, the national secretary of the All-Progressives Congress, APC, Surajudeen Basiru Ajibola, had addressed journalists protesting that that the governor had no reason to be at the premises.

Describing the governor’s action as abuse of office, Basiru had protested that, “He is not a candidate. He has no reason to be here”,

Recall also that earlier at around 3 am, members of the APC led by the candidate, Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Dennis Idahosa, had led protesters to demand the exit of the governor from the premises of INEC.

Idahosa, who was hollering from outside the gate, supported by others, demanded for the removal of the governor as according to them, he had no business being there.

Idahosa said, “Obaseki must come out. He is not supposed to be here. He is not an INEC Staff. Nigeria Police should not compromise.”

The protesters, who at intervals tried to gain entrance into the premises, were prevented from coming in even when they furiously banged on the gate.