The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) will conduct a councillorship by‑election in 63 wards across 15 local government areas (LGAs). The move follows a resolution by the Edo State House of Assembly directing the electoral body to fill vacant seats that were allegedly abandoned by councillors elected in the September 2, 2023 local government elections.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) released a document listing the LGAs and wards where the by‑election will be held. In Oredo LGA, all 12 wards will vote; Oredo is the only LGA where the elected councillors neither impeached council chairman Tom Obaseki nor defected to the APC. The election will also take place in Orhionmwon, Ikpoba Okha, Egor, Ovia North‑East, Uhunmwode, Etsako West, Etsako East, Akoko‑Edo, Owan East, Esan South‑East, Esan North‑East, Esan West, Igueben and Esan Central—the latter being the LGA of Governor Monday Okpebholo. The only LGAs excluded from the poll are Owan West, Etsako Central and Ovia South‑West.
Earlier, EDSIEC Chairman Jonathan Aifuobhokhan announced that the by‑election would cover 49 wards in nine LGAs, with 1,485 polling units. The APC’s statement contradicts this, stating that the vote will be held in 63 wards across 15 LGAs.
The House of Assembly’s resolution comes after the suspension of 18 local government chairmen and deputies from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on December 17, 2024. Since then, two Heads of Local Government Administration have been appointed as acting chairmen. The by‑election is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2025, and is intended to fill the vacant seats and ensure full representation in Edo State’s local governments. The outcome is expected to have a significant impact on the state’s local government administration.
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