Tensions flared on Sunday morning as the Director General of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Council, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, led a protest at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office, decrying the recently concluded governorship election results.

Accompanied by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iduoriyekemwen alleged that the election outcome was being manipulated in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

He expressed confidence that the PDP was poised for victory but claimed that plans were afoot to alter the final results, undermining the voters’ true wishes.

Around 20 protesters stormed the entrance gate of the INEC office while journalists and party agents awaited the announcement of the election results in the conference hall.

Iduoriyekemwen stated, “We will not accept this; we will contest it.”

The protest escalated as Iduoriyekemwen accused notable APC figures, including former Governor, Adams Oshiomhole and reinstated Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, of engaging in illicit activities such as thumb-printing ballot papers to close the gap in votes.

At approximately 2:27 a.m., as the protesters spoke to journalists through police barricades, law enforcement intervened, dispersing the crowd to maintain order.