The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned the move by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) to conduct local government elections in July 2026.
The development comes months after the Edo State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Blessing Agbebaku, removed all 18 local government chairmen in the state on December 19, 2024, following directives from Governor Monday Okpebholo. The Assembly had directed legislative leaders in each council to assume leadership responsibilities.
The suspension was initiated through a motion moved by Isibor Adeh, representing Esan North East 1, and seconded by Donald Okogbe, representing Akoko-Edo 2. Governor Okpebholo had accused the chairmen of failing to submit their financial records to the state government.
However, the dismissed chairmen challenged their removal in the High Court in Benin, which declared their sack illegal and ordered their reinstatement—a ruling the state government has reportedly ignored.
Reacting to the electoral body’s plan, the state PDP Caretaker Committee Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, described the move as unlawful and a direct affront to the judiciary.
“The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party, Edo State, has been drawn to the recent announcement of purported dates for bye-elections into local government councils in our state. We categorically state that such a move is illegal, unconstitutional, and a blatant disregard of a subsisting court order,” Nehikhare said in a statement.
He further stressed that Edo State already has duly elected councillors currently serving in 192 wards, with their tenure set to expire in September 2026. According to him, no “contrived process” can truncate their democratic mandate.
The PDP warned that the action amounted to a “civilian coup” against the people of Edo State, accusing the government of attempting to seize control of councils “by hook or by crook.”
“The Edo PDP, along with well-meaning citizens of the state, rejects and condemns this illegality in its entirety. We call on the Government to retrace its steps, respect the rule of law, and desist from plunging Edo into an avoidable political crisis,” the statement added.
Nehikhare concluded by stressing that democracy must be defended and the people’s mandate protected from political desperation.
