EDSIEC conducting bye-election is illegal, says PDP

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Edo State Chapter, had drawn the attention of Edo people, to what it termed “the brazen illegality being perpetrated by the Monday Okpebholo-led State Government in its desperate push to conduct a kangaroo bye-election for local councils.”

In a statement by Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the party in Edo State, the PDP reminded “all stakeholders that the so-called Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), currently being paraded as the electoral umpire, is itself the subject of a subsisting court case before Justice A.A. Adewemimo of the National Industrial Court, Benin Division.”

Going further, Nehikhare disclosed that “in Suit No. NICN/B/03/2025, filed by the former EDSIEC Chairman, Hon. Justice James Uyi Oyomire (rtd.), and six other constitutionally appointed members, the National Industrial Court, Benin Division, issued a restraining order on July 22, 2025. That order explicitly directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the matter.

“This means that no new commission can be inaugurated, and no electoral timetable can be issued, let alone any election being conducted, until the case is decided. The court was categorical that parties must refrain from actions capable of rendering its final judgement nugatory.”

The PDP stressed that “despite this clear and binding order, the Edo State Government and its agents are attempting to conduct a bye-election through the back door, using persons whose very legitimacy is under judicial scrutiny. This is not only contempt of court but also a reckless attempt to subvert the Constitution, spit on due process, and destabilize grassroots governance.”

PDP warned that “any election conducted under this illegal arrangement will be null, void, and of no effect. It will be resisted with every legitimate and democratic means available to us and to the good people of Edo State.”

The opposition party called on “Governor Okpebholo, the Attorney-General, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, and all those complicit in this plot to retrace their steps” adding “Edo is not a lawless enclave. The rule of law must prevail.”