Violence Marred NULGE Elections in Edo State: Elections Suspended Amid Unrest and Gunfire

Strategic Insights -

Elections for the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Edo State chapters were violently disrupted by armed thugs, leading to the suspension of the elections in 18 local government areas. Delegates who refused to vote for certain candidates in Uhunmwode and Igueben local governments were beaten and chased away from the election venues with gunshots. A delegate attributed the disruption to alleged forceful imposition, while the Edo State Local Government Commission has ordered the suspension of elections due to growing unrest and security breaches.

Key Takeaways:

  • Violence and gunfire disrupted NULGE elections in Edo State, with delegates in Uhunmwode and Igueben local governments being beaten and chased away.
  • The elections were allegedly disrupted by armed thugs who shot sporadically and destroyed ballot boxes.
  • The Edo State Local Government Commission has ordered the suspension of elections in 18 local government areas due to growing unrest and security breaches.
  • The commission cited a recent security breach in Uhunmwode Local Government Council on September 3, 2025, which resulted in shootings and injuries to a staffer.
  • The commission announced the immediate postponement of all ongoing NULGE branch elections pending further consultations with stakeholders.
  • The disruption and suspension of elections have raised concerns about the peace, security, and industrial relations of staff in the Unified Local Government Service.
  • The President of NULGE in the state received a letter from the Edo State Local Government Commission, signed by secretary Odigie George, announcing the suspension of elections.

Statistics:

  • The elections were disrupted in 18 local government areas in Edo State.
  • The violence and gunfire resulted in injuries to a staffer in Uhunmwode Local Government Council on September 3, 2025.
  • The commission has postponed indefinitely all ongoing NULGE branch elections in the affected areas.

Sources:

  • A delegate in one of the local governments where violence was recorded, who only gave her name as Esohe.
  • A letter from the Edo State Local Government Commission to the President of NULGE in the state, signed by secretary Odigie George.
  • "Edo State Local Government Commission Announces Suspension of NULGE Elections" (newspaper article).