INEC Postpones Final Election Collation Amid Rising Tensions in Benin

In the early hours of Sunday, tension gripped the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin, as the final collation of results for the Edo State governorship election was postponed to 10 a.m.

The delay was announced following a four-hour meeting between Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, INEC officials, and Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Frank Mba, who is overseeing the election’s security operations. Obaseki and his party protested the collation process, alleging irregularities against them.

While Obaseki was inside with the police and INEC officials, Dennis Idahosa, the APC deputy governorship candidate, led a separate group of protesters to the INEC headquarters, demanding Obaseki’s presence outside.

Shortly after, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru arrived at the scene, accusing Obaseki of behaving like a thug.