An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has issued a restraining order stopping the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) and the State Government from going ahead with their planned local government by-elections across 59 wards.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, came from Justice Mary E. Itsueli, who sat as a vacation judge.
PDP Moves Against Planned By-Elections
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through its counsels Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, Michael Ekwemuka, and P. W. Akwuen, had filed an ex-parte motion in suit B/247M/2025.
The party argued that the tenure of councillors in the affected wards remains valid until September 2026, insisting that any attempt to declare their seats vacant and conduct fresh polls would be illegal and unconstitutional.
Court’s Decision
Justice Itsueli ruled that the PDP had shown sufficient grounds for judicial intervention. She therefore granted leave to the party to apply for judicial review of EDSIEC’s decision.
The court also issued a restraining order stopping both the Commission and the State Government from proceeding with the elections until the substantive case is heard.
In her ruling, Justice Itsueli stated:
“The applicants are granted leave to apply for Judicial review of the decision of the 1st Respondent to conduct by-elections across 59 wards purportedly to fill vacancies, when their respective tenures subsist until September 2026. The Respondents are to stay further action and are restrained from conducting the election pending determination of the substantive matter.”
Case Referred for Assignment
The case has now been referred to the Chief Judge of Edo State for assignment to a regular court, with September 30, 2025 fixed as the return date.
The Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice was also listed as a party to the suit.
This ruling has temporarily halted what was expected to be a heated political contest across several local government areas in the state.
#EdoState #Elections #CourtOrder #EDSIEC #PDP #NigeriaPolitics
