EDSIEC to Conduct Edo LG By-Election in 63 Wards Across 15 Local Governments

The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) has scheduled a councillorship by-election in 63 wards across 15 local government areas of the state, to be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025.

However, conflicting reports have emerged regarding the exact number of wards and local governments involved. While EDSIEC Chairman Jonathan Aifuobhokhan previously announced that the election would hold in 1,485 polling units across 49 wards in nine local governments, the All Progressives Congress (APC) stated that the by-election would cover 63 wards in 15 councils.

In a statement titled “APC Preparations for Local Government By-election in Top Gear”, the Edo APC Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadiae, confirmed the party’s readiness and listed the local governments and wards where elections will be held.

According to a document reportedly released by the APC, Oredo Local Government will have elections in all its 12 wards. Notably, Oredo was the only LGA where the councillors did not impeach the council chairman, Tom Obaseki, nor defect to the APC—a move that swept through most other LGAs following the suspension of PDP-elected officials.

Following the suspension of all 18 elected local government chairmen and their deputies by the Edo State House of Assembly on December 17, 2024, the state government appointed Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) as acting chairpersons.

In Oredo, Dr. Igbinigie Osaheni was initially appointed as acting chairman in December 2024. He was later transferred to Akoko-Edo LGA, and in July 2025, replaced by Mrs. Evbu Amen Oboh as the new HOLGA and acting chairperson.

The by-election will also be conducted in:

• Orhionmwon – 10 wards

• Ikpoba-Okha – 6 wards

• Egor – 6 wards

• Ovia North-East – 7 wards

• Uhunmwode – 1 ward

• Etsako West – 3 wards

• Etsako East – 4 wards

• Akoko-Edo – 2 wards

• Owan East – 4 wards

• Esan South-East – 3 wards

• Esan North-East – 2 wards

• Esan West – 1 ward

• Igueben – 1 ward

• Esan Central – 2 wards

Notably, Esan Central is the home LGA of the current Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.

The only local government areas where the by-election will not be conducted are:

• Owan West

• Etsako Central

• Ovia South-West

EDSIEC’s planned by-election follows the Edo State House of Assembly’s directive mandating the commission to fill vacancies created by councillors who allegedly abdicated their seats after the September 2, 2023, local government elections held under the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.