Councillors across the 18 local government areas of Edo State on Monday began impeachment proceedings against acting chairmen of the councils, less than 24 hours after 59 newly elected councillors were issued Certificates of Return.
According to sources within the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who spoke with The Nation, the move is aimed at ensuring that APC members assume leadership of the councils instead of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In Uhunmwonde LGA, eight councillors impeached the Acting Chairman, Hon. Iradia Benjamin. Similarly, the Acting Chairman of Esan West, Hon. Aigboboh, resigned voluntarily to avoid impeachment.
The development comes despite a subsisting order of the Edo State High Court, Benin City, restraining the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) and the state government from conducting local government by-elections in 59 wards.
The order, granted on September 16, 2025, by Justice Mary E. Itsueli, followed an ex parte motion filed by the PDP.
The PDP, represented by its counsel, Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, Michael Ekwemuka, and P. W. Akwuen, argued that councillors in the affected wards still had valid tenure until September 2026, making any attempt to declare their seats vacant unlawful.
In the suit marked B/247M/2025, the party sought leave to apply for judicial review of EDSIEC’s decision to conduct the polls.
Justice Itsueli held that the PDP had shown sufficient grounds for judicial intervention and subsequently granted leave for judicial review.
She referred the matter to the Chief Judge of Edo State for reassignment to a regular court.
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