Suspected political thugs abruptly disrupted the collation of results during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the 2024 governorship election in Edo State on Saturday.
Despite the announcement of results from eight local government areas, the collation process at Rushville Hotel and Suite in GRA, Benin City, was interrupted by the intrusion of thugs.
The thugs stormed the location during the live broadcast of the collation process, overpowering police operatives at the gate and causing chaos.
Journalists, including an NTA cameraman and an FRCN reporter, were assaulted, and their equipment was scattered as the thugs seized control of the venue and carted away election materials, despite the presence of the State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adeboye, and party officials.
In a related development, Ernest Umakhihe, a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship contest in Edo State.
Umakhihe cited his withdrawal as a gesture towards promoting harmony and solidarity within the APC in a statement dated February 16.
