#EdoDecides2024: Why I Visited INEC Collation Centre — Gov Obaseki 

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has explained that his early morning visit to the State Collation Centre at the INEC office in Benin City was driven by the need for first-hand information about the election collation process.

Obaseki revealed that his visit followed failed attempts to reach the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Anugbum Onuoha, after reports surfaced that collation was to be moved to INEC’s headquarters. “At about 1:00 am, I got the report that the collation was supposed to have been moved… our agents were not allowed into the collation process,” he said, highlighting his frustration over the lack of communication.

Despite arriving at the centre around 2:00 am, Obaseki found no ongoing collation and no explanation from the REC. “I went there to get information because INEC had refused to provide any updates on what was happening with the process,” the governor emphasized.

It wasn’t until discussions with Deputy Inspector General of Police Frank Mba that INEC released a statement at around 5:00 am, confirming that the collation would resume at 10:00 am.