The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) went ahead with by-elections for local government councillors on Saturday, defying a restraining order issued by an Edo State High Court. The legal injunction had been secured following a motion filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the legality of the planned electoral exercise.

The by-elections, covering 59 wards across 15 local government areas, were largely boycotted by all political parties except the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The electoral exercise was initially mandated by a resolution from the Edo State House of Assembly to fill vacant councillorship seats, which became available due to a local government crisis during the early months of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.

Justice Mary Itsueli, acting as a vacation judge, had issued the restraining order on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, in response to an ex parte motion filed by the PDP. The legal challenge, which also named the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as a respondent, argued that the tenures of the affected councillors remained valid until September 2026, and that any attempt to prematurely declare the seats vacant or conduct elections before this date would be illegal.

The PDP’s suit, No. B/247M/2025, sought judicial review of EDSIEC’s decision. In granting the application, Justice Itsueli ruled that the party had demonstrated sufficient grounds for intervention, giving the PDP leave to pursue a full review and mandating the suspension of all actions related to the proposed by-elections.

Despite the court order, EDSIEC proceeded with the polls, leaving the results from the affected wards pending at the time of this report. The development raises questions about the enforcement of judicial directives and the legality of the elections conducted under these circumstances.