Edo PDP kicks, as EDSIEC fixes Sept 20 for council by-elections
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Edo State, has kicked against the planned conduct of by-elections into local government councils in the State by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), terming the move as illegal, unconstitutional, and a disregard of subsisting court order.
This was contained in a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the Edo State PDP Caretaker Committee, Chris Nehikhare, who accused the State Government of running state affairs in open breach of the law, noting that the State already has elected councillors with tenure that expires in September 2026.
“It is unfortunate and deeply disturbing that the Edo State Government and its agents have continued to run the State in open breach of the law, in utter contempt of judicial pronouncements, and in total disregard for democratic norms.
“We view this action as nothing short of a civilian coup against the people of Edo State. It is an attempt to seize control of our councils by hook or by crook, thereby undermining the will of the people and destabilizing grassroots governance,” the statement read.
Nehikhare further admonished the State Government to retrace its steps and respect the rule of law in order to avoid political crisis in the State.
“Democracy must be defended, and the people’s mandate must not be sacrificed on the altar of desperation”, he added.
Recall that the Chairman of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, had released a time table and schedule of activities for the conduct of by-elections into councillorship positions in 49 wards across 9 local government councils in the State, citing section 28 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and the Edo State Local Government Election Law 2012 as bases for the decision.
The Edo State House of Assembly had earlier directed EDSIEC to conduct by-elections to fill councillors’ seats that have been declared vacant, on the grounds that the elected officials abandoned their duty posts since January 2025.
The EDSIEC Chairman in a press statement disclosed that the by-election would hold on Saturday September 20, 2025.
