Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has provided an explanation for his visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation center in Benin City earlier today.
According to NEWS REVIEW, the governor arrived at the INEC premises around 2 a.m. on Sunday morning and remained there until police, led by Deputy Inspector General Frank Mba, escorted him out.
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Dennis Idahosa, led a protest demanding Obaseki’s removal from the INEC premises around 3:30 a.m. Shortly before Obaseki was escorted out, APC National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, told journalists that the governor had no valid reason to be at the collation center.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Situation Room in Benin, Obaseki explained that he visited the INEC office after receiving reports that the collation process had been halted.
He said, “At about 1 a.m., I received information that the collation was supposed to have moved to the INEC headquarters. I also heard from our agents that PDP representatives were being denied access to the collation center. I tried contacting the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for clarification but got no response.
As a result, I went to the INEC office to meet with the REC and understand what actions were being taken to continue the collation process.”
 collation center in Benin City earlier today.){kind=link}