EDSIEC Defies Court Order, Conducts By-Elections For Councillors In Edo

The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) on Saturday, conducted by-elections for local government councilors in defiance to a restraining order issued by an Edo State High Court following a motion filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The exercise, which took place across 59 wards in 15 local government areas of the state was boycotted by other political parties except the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Edo State House of Assembly had moved a resolution for the by-elections, citing the need to fill vacant councillorship seats following the local government crisis in the early months of the Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.

However, Justice Mary Itsueli, sitting as a vacation judge, on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, issued the order restraining EDSIEC from conducting the by-elections, in response to an ex-parte motion filed by the PDP.

The motion had challenged the legality of the planned elections.

Also named as a respondent in the suit was the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

In the suit marked No. B/247M/2025, the PDP sought permission to initiate judicial review proceedings against EDSIEC’s decision, arguing that the tenures of the affected councillors remain valid until September 2026 and that any attempt to declare their seats vacant or conduct elections would be illegal.

Justice Itsueli, in granting the application, ruled that the PDP had presented sufficient grounds to warrant judicial intervention.

She granted the party’s leave to pursue judicial review and ordered that all further steps towards conducting the proposed by-elections be suspended.

As at the time of filing this report, results from the by-elections in the wards were still being awaited.