3 Top Political Parties Boycott Edo LG Elections

Three political parties in Edo State have announced that they will not participate in the local government election scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2026.

The parties are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The election is expected to produce chairmen for the state’s 18 local government areas as well as 192 ward councillors.

The PDP faction led by Dr Tony Aziegbemi said its decision followed a meeting of the State Executive Committee held on July 1, 2026, at the party’s secretariat.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the party said it would not take part in the election because it believes the process does not comply with the Constitution, the rule of law and democratic principles.

The PDP argued that the removal of elected local government chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors and their replacement with caretaker committees was contrary to Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The party also objected to the removal of members of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) before the end of their tenure and the appointment of a new commission to conduct the council election.

It further accused the Edo State Government of failing to comply with eight High Court judgments that reinstated elected local government chairmen.

According to Aziegbemi, the circumstances surrounding the election make it impossible for the party to accept the process as lawful. He said the PDP would not participate in any exercise it believes is built on constitutional violations.

He also directed party officials, leaders, members and supporters across the state not to take part in the election.

Aziegbemi added that the PDP would continue to seek legal and constitutional means to protect democracy and defend what it described as the mandate of the people of Edo State.

He maintained that the party remains committed to upholding the Constitution, respecting the rule of law and protecting democratic values.

The African Democratic Congress also confirmed that it would not participate in the election.

The factional chairman of the party in Edo State, Kennedy Odion, said the decision followed the refusal of EDSIEC to sign a Memorandum of Understanding intended to guarantee the proper distribution of election materials to polling units, wards and local government areas.

According to him, the agreement was also expected to ensure that the election would be free, fair and credible while protecting the independence of the electoral commission. He said EDSIEC did not sign the document.

The National Democratic Congress also indicated that it would not be taking part in the poll.

The party’s state secretary, Peter Ajube, said he was not aware of any arrangement for the NDC to participate in the election. He explained that most of the preparations for the council poll had already been concluded before the party became active in Edo State.