The Edo State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, African Democratic Congress, ADC, and National Democratic Congress, NDC, have declared that they will boycott the local government elections slated for next Saturday.
DAILY POST reports that the Edo State local government election is scheduled for July 11, 2026, to elect chairmen for the 18 councils as well as 192 ward councillors.
A statement by the Dr. Tony Aziegbemi-led faction of the PDP opined that illegality cannot produce legitimacy.
The statement, signed by Aziegbemi and dated July 2, 2026, said the decision of the party not to participate in the council election was taken at the State Executive Committee meeting held at the party’s secretariat on July 1, 2026.
The statement, titled, “Illegality Cannot Produce Legitimacy: Edo State PDP Will Not Participate in the July 11, 2026 Local Government Election,”
said the decision to boycott the election was borne out of the party’s unwavering commitment to the Constitution, the rule of law, and democratic governance.
He also attributed the boycott to the dissolution of democratically elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors and their replacement with unelected caretaker committees, contrary to Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“The dissolution of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) before the expiration of its statutory tenure and the appointment of a new commission to conduct the proposed election.
“Refusal to obey eight High Court judgments reinstating elected council chairmen to their offices,” he said.
Aziegbemi posited that a process founded on constitutional violations cannot produce a legitimate democratic outcome, vowing that “we will not legitimise illegality.”
According to him, the PDP cannot, in good conscience, participate in an electoral exercise designed to validate unconstitutional actions. To do so would amount to endorsing lawlessness and betraying the democratic mandate of the people of Edo State.
He said the position of the party is that it would not field candidates or participate in the July 11, 2026, local government election.
“All units, wards, LGA executives, party leaders, members, and supporters are advised to refrain from participating in the exercise.
“The party will continue to pursue all lawful and constitutional means to defend democracy and protect the mandate of the people,” he stated.
While noting that the party would continue to stand for democracy, he assured that it remains resolute in defending the Constitution, the rule of law, and the sovereignty of the people.
On his part, Hon. Kennedy Odion, the factional chairman of the ADC in the state, said the party would be boycotting the election because the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) failed to sign a memorandum of understanding that electoral materials must get to all polling units, wards, and local governments.
Odion said other conditions were to ensure that the process is free, fair, and credible, and that the commission must be seen to be independent.
He said the electoral body failed to sign the MoU.
Also speaking, the NDC state secretary, Hon. Peter Ajube, said he was not aware that the party would be participating in the exercise.
He said the processes for the election were almost completed before the party came on board in the state.
