By-election: PDP files contempt charges against EDSIEC

By Jethro Ibileke

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has instructed its legal team to initiate contempt proceedings against the Chairman and members of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), as well as the State Attorney-General, for proceeding with last Saturday’s local government by-election despite a court order suspending the exercise.

The party described the election as “a brazen illegality”, contemptuous, and a direct assault on the judiciary, warning that such actions could plunge the state into lawlessness.

Despite the court order obtained by the PDP, which halted the election, EDSIEC went ahead with the poll. In defence, the commission said the restraining order was granted without a hearing, and it had already filed a motion on notice to discharge the ex parte order and expedite the hearing of the substantive suit.

In a statement issued on Monday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, the PDP insisted that the court’s restraining orders—granted by both the Edo State High Court and the National Industrial Court—were clear and subsisting, and therefore binding.

“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,” the party said.

It continued: “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 wilful disobedience of valid court orders. They must be held personally accountable before the law.”

The party reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and vowed to resist any attempt by “impostors and collaborators” within the government to undermine democracy and the judicial process.

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

Meanwhile, EDSIEC has presented Certificates of Return to the 63 elected local government councillors following the by-election.

EDSIEC Chairman, Mr Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, represented by Ikhuoriah Solomon, praised the successful conduct of the election and urged the elected councillors to deliver effective representation to their constituents.

“The successful conduct of the 2025 by-election is not only a testament to the Commission’s efficiency but also a reaffirmation of the people’s trust in the democratic process,” he said.

“Today, as we celebrate the victors of that process, we are also reminded of the important roles they are stepping into—to serve, to lead, and to bring meaningful development to their various wards.”

He congratulated the councillors and encouraged them to see their Certificates of Return not merely as symbols of electoral success but as a call to responsible leadership and public service.