The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced its non-participation in the Edo State councillorship by-elections, which are scheduled to take place on September 20, 2025. Hon Kennedy Odion, the state Chairman of the ADC, disclosed this decision to journalists in Benin, citing a complete lack of official notification from the State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) regarding the exercise.

According to Odion, the standard procedure for electoral bodies is to duly inform all stakeholders, including political parties, about upcoming elections. However, the ADC claims it did not receive any communication from EDSIEC concerning the by-elections, nor was it made aware of the commission's preparations or the specific vacancies to be contested across the 15 local government areas of the state. These by-elections are intended to fill councillorship seats reportedly vacated by elected officers.

Beyond the immediate electoral concerns, Hon Odion emphasized that the ADC's primary focus in Edo State is to establish robust structures across all 18 local government areas. He positioned the ADC as a party committed to delivering renewed hope for good governance and accountability, drawing a distinction from what he described as the All Progressives Congress (APC)'s