by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that any by-election conducted by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) to replace elected councillors across the state would be illegal and amount to contempt of court.
This comes after the Edo State House of Assembly, on August 25, 2025, directed EDSIEC to organize by-elections to fill all councillorship seats across the 192 wards in the 18 local government areas.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Benin City, PDP spokesman Chris Nehikhare said Justice A.A. Adewemimo of the National Industrial Court, Benin Division, had on July 22, 2025, ordered all parties in Suit No. NICN/B/03/2025 to maintain the status quo.
The suit, filed by the sacked EDSIEC chairman, Justice James Uyi Oyomire (rtd.), and six other members appointed by the Godwin Obaseki administration, challenges their removal and the legitimacy of the current commission.
Nehikhare argued that since the case is still pending, no new commission can be inaugurated and no elections can be held until the court gives its final ruling. He warned that any poll conducted under the current arrangement would be “illegal, null, and void.”
The PDP accused Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration of attempting to conduct a “kangaroo election” despite a binding court order. The party also described the move as a breach of constitutional provisions, adding that the former EDSIEC members, whose tenure runs until March 2027, were unlawfully removed and are demanding nearly ₦500 million in entitlements and damages.
Calling the attempt a “civilian coup against democracy,” the PDP urged Governor Okpebholo, the Attorney-General, and the Speaker of the House of Assembly to halt the process and respect the court’s directive.