As the formal collation of results is set to commence for the Saturday’s off-cycle governorship election in Edo state, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has condemned the invasion of its Benin Head Office, venue of the collation.
Daily Trust had reported how Governor Godwin Obaseki, Ajibola Basiru, National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dennis Idahosa, APC deputy governorship candidate, among others protested at Benin office of INEC.
In a statement on Sunday, Mallam Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner and Member Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, lamented the invasion of the commission’s office.
“We are similarly disturbed by the overnight presence and demonstrations by some political actors and their supporters at our State Head Office ahead of the commencement of final collation. These actions are uncalled for. Nobody should disrupt the process at any stage and no one will be allowed to benefit from lawlessness,” he said.
He said that accredited party agents, observers and the media should be granted unimpeded access to all collation centres.
He also urged the security agencies to continue to maintain the same vigilance and professionalism that led to the peaceful conduct of the election as we conclude the process.