The Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said it rejected the planned local government council by-elections, declaring them illegal and unconstitutional.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, issued a statement explaining that the state electoral commission violated a subsisting court order by fixing dates for the polls.
He said there was no vacancy in the 192 wards since councillors remained in office until September 2026, and he accused the state government of breaching democratic norms and attempting what he described as a “civilian coup” against the people.
Nehikhare stated that the PDP released the statement on Monday in Benin, the capital of Edo State.
He added that the party considered the exercise an attempt to undermine the will of the people and destabilize grassroots governance.
He urged the government to withdraw the plan, respect judicial pronouncements, and prevent a political crisis.
He stressed that the PDP would continue to defend democracy and safeguard the people’s mandate.