The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has initiated contempt proceedings against the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) for conducting by-elections in 59 wards across the state. This move follows a court ruling on September 16, 2025, where Justice Mary Itsueli of the Edo State High Court restrained EDSIEC and the state government from holding the elections.
The court’s decision was made in response to an ex-parte motion filed by the PDP, which argued that the commission had not followed due process. Despite this ruling, EDSIEC proceeded with the elections on September 20, 2025, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) being the only party to field candidates. The PDP has condemned this action, stating that it is a blatant disregard for the law and the judiciary.
In a statement, Chris Osa Nehikhare, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo State Caretaker Committee, emphasized that the state’s electoral umpire and Attorney-General must be held accountable for their actions. The PDP has instructed its legal team to commence contempt proceedings against the Chairman and members of EDSIEC, as well as the Attorney-General of Edo State, for willfully disobeying valid court orders.
The party has assured the people of Edo State that it will continue to defend democracy and the rule of law. The PDP has vowed not to allow individuals in government to undermine the will of the people and disregard court orders with impunity. The commission’s decision to proceed with the elections has sparked concerns about the state of democracy in Edo State and the willingness of government officials to respect the judiciary.
The contempt proceedings initiated by the PDP are a significant development in this case, as they highlight the importance of respecting court orders and upholding the rule of law. The outcome of these proceedings will be closely watched, as it will have implications for the democratic process in Edo State and the ability of the judiciary to hold government officials accountable. The PDP’s actions demonstrate its commitment to defending democracy and ensuring that the will of the people is respected.
