PDP warns EDSIEC against conduct of councillorships by-election

The Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has warned the State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) against the conduct of by-election to replace the elected councillors in the State, saying it is illegal and contempt of court.

Recall that the Edo State House of Assembly had on August 25, 2025 mandated EDSIEC to conduct by-election to fill all the councillorship seats allegedly vacated by the elected councils’ legislators across the 192 wards in 18 Local Government Areas of the State.

A statement by the party and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Benin City, said Justice A.A. Adewemimo of the National Industrial Court, Benin Division, on July 22, 2025 issued a restraining order that the status quo should be maintained by claimant and the respondent.

The claimants are the sacked Justice James Uyi Oyomire (rtd.), who is the chairman and six others who were constitutionally appointed members of the Electoral Vommission by the former Governor Godwin Obaseki-led Government.

The statement signed by Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary, Caretaker Committee of the party in the State, alleged that the EDSIEC being mandated to conduct the by-election is the subject of a subsisting court case.

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Nehikhare said the case with Suit No. NICN/B/03/2025, filed by the former EDSIEC members is currently before Justice A.A. Adewemimo of the National Industrial Court, Benin Division.

He added that the order explicitly directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the resolution of the matter.

He, however, warned that any election conducted under the present electoral umpire would be illegal, null, void, and of no effect.

Nehikhare threatened that the party would resist every legitimate and democratic means available to it and to the good people of Edo State.

According to him, the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), Edo State Chapter, once again draws the attention of Edo people, the judiciary, and the general public to 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.

“We remind 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.

“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.

“Shockingly, 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.

“The claimants in the suit were appointed on March 23, 2022, for a fixed five-year tenure, expiring in March 2027. They were unlawfully removed without due process, in flagrant breach of constitutional provisions.

“They are also demanding nearly ₦500 million in unpaid entitlements, plus aggravated damages and legal costs. Yet, rather than respect the courts and allow justice to run its course, the State Government is engaged in what can only be described as a civilian coup against democracy in Edo State.

“Democracy is too sacred to be sacrificed on the altar of political desperation”, he said.

The party, however, called Governor Okpebholo, the Attorney-General, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, and all those complicit in the plot to retrace their steps.

He stated that Edo is not a lawless enclave, adding that the rule of law must prevail.