PDP announces boycott of Edo local government election
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has declared it will boycott the local government council election scheduled for Saturday, citing alleged illegality and constitutional breaches in the process. The party’s decision was announced on Thursday by its Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, who stated that the PDP would neither field candidates nor participate in the exercise.
Party cites constitutional violations
In a statement, Aziegbemi argued that the election followed the dissolution of democratically elected local government chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors, who were replaced with caretaker committees. He said this action violates Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution. He also faulted the state government for dissolving the previous Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) management before the expiration of its tenure.
The PDP chairman further alleged that the state had disobeyed eight High Court judgments concerning the election. “A process founded on constitutional violations cannot produce a legitimate democratic outcome. We will not legitimise illegality,” he stated.
Party directs supporters to stay away
Aziegbemi directed all party leaders, members and supporters across the state to refrain from participating in the election. He insisted that the PDP would continue to pursue lawful and constitutional means to defend democracy and the rule of law. “The Edo PDP will not field candidates or participate in the 11 July 2026 local government election,” the chairman added.
EDSIEC clears 12 political parties
Meanwhile, the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission has confirmed that 12 political parties will participate in the election across the state’s 18 local government areas. The EDSIEC spokesman, Albert Eguaoje, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin that the cleared parties include the All Progressives Congress, Accord Party, Action People’s Party, People’s Redemption Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, and Allied People’s Movement.
Other parties cleared are the Young Progressives Party, New Nigeria People’s Party, Action Democratic Party, African Action Congress, Zenith Labour Party and Action Alliance.
Preparation and logistics
Eguaoje stated that the commission has achieved 85 per cent preparedness for the election. Distribution of electoral materials would commence later on Thursday, starting with distant local government areas such as Akoko-Edo. “Materials for other councils would be dispatched on Friday,” he said.
Voting procedures and restrictions
The commission announced a restriction of movement from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Accreditation of voters will be carried out manually, using the voter register obtained from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The commission will not deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for the council poll. Voting, sorting and counting of ballots will also be conducted manually. The election will use an open ballot system, and results are expected to be declared on Monday.
