The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, has presented Certificates of Return to successful councillorship candidates from the by-elections held on September 20, 2025. The certificates were issued at the commission’s headquarters in Benin City by Ovuchor Suleiman, representing the EDSIEC Chairman, Jonathan Aifuobhokhan.

Several candidates attended the ceremony to collect their certificates, while others were absent and did not receive theirs. This presentation marks the official end of the contentious by-election, which proceeded despite a High Court order directing EDSIEC to suspend the exercise. The commission had challenged the order and announced its decision to proceed with the polls based on its legal position.

The by-elections were boycotted by major opposition parties, leaving the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the sole contender. As a result, the APC secured all 59 available councillorship seats across 15 local government areas. The election’s outcome was largely anticipated due to the absence of opposition parties.

The EDSIEC’s decision to proceed with the by-elections, despite the court order, has sparked controversy. The commission’s legal team had filed a motion on notice challenging the order, which they believe did not affect their constitutional mandate to conduct the elections. The elections were conducted on September 20, 2025, with the APC emerging as the sole winner in all the contested seats.

The presentation of certificates to the successful candidates brings an end to the electoral process, which was marked by controversy and opposition from some quarters. The EDSIEC has maintained that it followed the law and its constitutional mandate in conducting the by-elections. The outcome of the elections is expected to have implications for the political landscape in Edo State, with the APC consolidating its position in the local government areas.