Edo State High Court Restrains EDSIEC, State Government from Conducting Local Government By-elections

The Edo State High Court, presided over by Justice Mary Itsueli, has issued a restraining order against the State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) and the State Government from conducting local government by-elections into 59 wards of the state. The order was granted on September 16, 2025, following an ex-parte motion brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP argued that the councillors' tenures remain valid until September 2026, making any attempt to declare their seats vacant unlawful.

Key Takeaways:

• The Edo State High Court has restrained EDSIEC and the State Government from conducting local government by-elections into 59 wards of the state.
• The order was granted on September 16, 2025, following an ex-parte motion brought by the PDP.
• The PDP argued that the councillors' tenures remain valid until September 2026, making any attempt to declare their seats vacant unlawful.
• The court referred the matter to the Chief Judge of Edo State for reassignment to a regular court, fixing September 30, 2025, as the return date.
• The PDP sought an order granting leave to apply for judicial review of EDSIEC's decision to conduct by-elections.
• The court ordered the respondents to stay further actions and are restrained from conducting the election or taking any further steps in connection with the planned Local Government by-election.

Statistics:

• 59 wards in Edo State are affected by the restraining order.
• September 2026 is the end of the councillors' tenures.
• September 30, 2025, is the return date for the matter to be reassigned to a regular court.
• EDSIEC had scheduled the by-election to hold on September 20, 2025.

Sources:

• B/247M/2025, the suit marked by the PDP in the Edo State High Court.
• The State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC)
• Edo State Government
• Justice Mary Itsueli