Edo Assembly orders EDSIEC to conduct council by-election for vacant seats

The Edo State House Assembly has ordered the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) to conduct a council by-election to fill vacant councillor positions in different wards across the state. The decision was made after legislators claimed that some councillors had abandoned their duty posts since January 2025, which violates the Local Government Law of 2000.

The newly inaugurated government, led by Governor Monday Okpebholo, suspected the chairman of the EDSIEC of inaction, prompting the majority of councillors to adopt the resolution. The legislators emphasized the importance of local government administration in democracy and stated that development in affected wards was hindered by the absence of elected councillors.

The motion was unanimously carried, and EDSIEC was directed to conduct the by-elections promptly. Additionally, the House passed a bill to repeal the Edo State Gaming Law of 2020 and establish the Edo State Lottery Regulatory Commission and Edo State Lottery Trust Fund.