The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has commenced a contempt case against the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, following the conduct of by-elections across 59 wards in the State at the weekend.

DAILY POST reports that Justice Mary Itsueli, of an Edo State High Court, on September 16, 2025 restrained the commission and the state government from conducting the election.

Justice Itsueli, had in an ex-parte motion brought by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, held that the applicants had shown sufficient grounds for the court to intervene.

The judge also referred the matter to the Chief Judge of Edo State for reassignment to a regular court, fixing September 30, 2025, for the return date.

In spite of the ruling, EDSIEC went ahead with the conduct of the election in the affected wards.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, was the only party that fielded candidates and participated in the elections that were held on Saturday 20, 2025.

Reacting in a statement titled, “impostors defiantly went ahead to stage a sham exercise in reckless disregard for the law”, PDP said it has directed its legal teams to commence contempt proceedings against EDSIEC.

The statement by Chris Osa Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary, Edo State Caretaker Committee, said the state’s electoral umpire and Attorney-General must be held personally accountable before the law.

“The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, unequivocally condemns the brazen illegality carried out on Saturday, September 20, 2025 by the impostor Chairman and members of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, acting in collusion with the Attorney-General of Edo State.

“Despite clear and subsisting orders of the Edo State High Court and the National Industrial Court restraining them from conducting any local government election, these impostors defiantly went ahead to stage a sham exercise and, in reckless disregard for the law, are purported preparing to declare winners for the elections.

“This act is nothing short of contemptuous, a direct assault on the judiciary, and a calculated attempt to plunge Edo State into lawlessness. The deliberate disobedience of lawful court orders by public officers who swore to uphold the Constitution is shameful, irresponsible, and cannot go unpunished.

“Accordingly, the Edo PDP has instructed its legal team to immediately commence contempt proceedings against the Chairman and members of EDSIEC, as well as the Attorney-General of Edo State, for their willful disobedience of valid court orders. They must be held personally accountable before the law.

“Democracy cannot survive where court orders are ignored with impunity. The courts have spoken. The law must prevail”, he said.

He, however, assured the people of Edo State that the party would continue to stand firm in defence of democracy and the rule of law.

He vowed that the party would not allow impostors and collaborators in government to trample on the courts and undermine the will of the people.