The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the decision of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) to organise by-elections across the state’s wards where councillors are alleged to have vacated their positions.
The announcement came on Monday, 1 September 2025, exactly one week after the Edo State House of Assembly directed EDSIEC to proceed with the polls.
In a strongly worded statement, the PDP described the planned exercise as unlawful, unconstitutional, and in violation of an existing court order.
Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the party in Edo, argued that those claiming to be responsible for conducting the polls lack any legal recognition or authority.
According to Nehikhare, the party and citizens committed to upholding the rule of law “rejected and condemned the alleged illegality in its entirety,” urging the state government to retrace its steps and avoid plunging Edo into needless political unrest.
He stressed that duly elected councillors are still serving across the state’s 192 wards, with their tenure valid until September 2026.
“Their tenure lawfully expires in September 2026, and no contrived process can truncate this democratic mandate,” he said.
Nehikhare further criticised the government’s handling of the issue, stating that: “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.”
He went on to describe the move as a direct assault on democracy.
“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 destabilising grassroots governance.
“Democracy must be defended, and the people’s mandate must not be sacrificed on the altar of desperation,” Nehikhare stated.
The controversy follows a resolution passed by the Edo State House of Assembly on 25 August 2025, which mandated EDSIEC to conduct elections in the 192 wards across the 18 Local Government Areas. Lawmakers alleged that elected councillors had abandoned their responsibilities since January 2025.
The House had given the electoral body three weeks to organise the polls, stipulating that the tenure of those elected would end concurrently with the current councillors in office.