Deputy Inspector-General of Police overseeing the Edo election, Frank Mba, appeared displeased by Governor Godwin Obaseki’s early morning visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin. The governor, accompanied by his security aides, arrived at the INEC office around 3 a.m. and held a closed-door meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).

Shortly after, a group of protesters from the All Progressives Congress (APC), including National Secretary Ajibola Basiru and Dennis Idahosa, the running mate of APC’s governorship candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo, arrived at the INEC office. The protesters demanded Obaseki’s departure, accusing him of abusing his position. “Obaseki must come out. He is not supposed to be here. He is not an INEC staff. Nigeria Police should not compromise,” Idahosa stated.

Despite efforts to gain entry, armed security operatives blocked the protesters, who voiced their frustration by banging on the gates and shouting. Speaking to journalists, Basiru criticized Obaseki’s presence, stating that as he was not a candidate, he had no valid reason to be at the INEC office.

Amid rising tensions, DIG Frank Mba entered the INEC office and requested Governor Obaseki to leave, which Obaseki did after initially appearing distracted. Following his departure, INEC announced that the collation of election results would begin at 10 a.m. It remains unclear if this was the subject of Obaseki’s meeting.