In the early hours of September 22, 2024, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki quietly stormed the State Collation Centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Adawawa, Benin, to protest the governorship election results, even though the official results had not yet been announced.

Obaseki, a key supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, sneaked into the INEC premises around 2 a.m., under the cover of darkness.

He proceeded to the first floor of the building, where the office of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Edo, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, is located.

However, the REC did not attend to Obaseki, who quietly remained near the office to monitor the situation.

Unofficial reports indicated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was leading in the polls, with results from all 18 local government areas pointing to a likely APC victory. The official collation of results was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Governor Godwin Obaseki eventually left the INEC office at 4:45 a.m., amid jeers from top politicians present at the electoral commission’s headquarters.

He left without speaking, briefly glancing back as he made his way out.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Frank Mba, who was overseeing security for the Edo election, was present with a heavy police presence to maintain peace and order.

While Obaseki remained inside the INEC office, APC national secretary, Senator Basiru Ajibola, also arrived at the premises, reportedly acting on credible information about the governor’s presence.

Speaking with reporters, Ajibola criticised Obaseki’s actions, accusing him of behaving unprofessionally.

Ajibola, former senator for Osun Central, was joined by APC National Vice Chairman (South-South) Chief Victor Giadom; Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Chair of the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Edo APC Deputy Governorship Candidate Dennis Idahosa, who represents Ovia constituency in the House of Representatives; Edo APC Chairman Jarret Tenebe; and other prominent politicians.

He emphasised that the APC was not concerned about the collation of results but insisted that INEC officials must remove Governor Obaseki from the premises.

He pointed out that the governor was not an accredited party agent and had no legitimate reason to be at the electoral commission’s office.

Ajibola described Obaseki’s presence as suspicious, raising concerns that it could undermine the democratic process in Edo.

Ajibola further argued that Governor Obaseki’s presence at INEC’s state headquarters in Benin was an abuse of office and an act of self-help, which could incite lawlessness.

He emphasised that any grievances should be addressed through judicial means, if necessary. Ajibola commended Mba for his intervention, as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police respectfully requested the governor to leave the premises.

Obaseki, however, was reportedly still holding onto the results from the September 19, 2020, governorship election, treating them as if they were the yet-to-be-collated results of the September 21, 2024 election.

Ajibola criticised Governor Obaseki’s presence at INEC’s state headquarters in Benin, calling it an abuse of office and a form of self-help that could lead to lawlessness.

He stressed that if the governor had any grievances, there were legal channels to address them, praising the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Frank Mba, for politely asking Obaseki to leave the premises.

Ajibola pointed out that Obaseki was still holding onto the results of the September 19, 2020, governorship election, claiming them to be part of the yet-to-be-collated results for the September 21, 2024 election.

The first episode of drama occurred around 11 p.m. on September 21, 2024, when PDP’s governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, and PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, arrived at INEC’s Edo state headquarters, where the State Collation Centre is located.

However, armed security operatives prevented them from approaching the main gate, let alone entering the premises. The security officers deemed their presence unnecessary and described it as an act of desperation, especially since the PDP had a state collation agent who could have raised any protests on their behalf.

The Edo State Chairman of the APC, serving as the party’s collation agent, appeared relaxed and smiling as he entered the state collation centre.

For about an hour, he engaged in discussions with friends and political associates from various parties.

Meanwhile, security operatives refused to grant access to the PDP’s governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo; his running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie; and PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, barring them from entering INEC’s state headquarters in Benin.

At around 1:50 a.m. on Sunday, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, Director-General of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council of the PDP, and a former Majority Leader of the Edo House of Assembly, led a protest at the main gate of INEC’s headquarters, joined by other PDP members.

They expressed concerns that the governorship election was being manipulated in favour of APC candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo. Despite their protests, security operatives also denied them access. Iduoriyekemwen claimed that the PDP was on the verge of victory but accused some APC leaders of attempting to tamper with the final results, undermining the will of the Edo electorate.

The director-general of the PDP campaign also accused the APC leader in Edo, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, of attempting to manipulate the election.

Oshiomhole, a former National Chairman of the APC and ex-governor of Edo State (2008-2016), currently represents Edo North Senatorial District.

The director-general further alleged that Comrade Philip Shaibu, the reinstated Edo Deputy Governor and former House of Representatives member, was involved in the misconduct.

Both Oshiomhole and Shaibu were accused of thumbprinting ballot papers to reduce the gap by which the APC was leading.