The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday directed the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) to conduct by-elections to fill vacant councillorship seats in various local government wards across the state within three weeks
The directive followed a unanimous resolution of the House after lawmakers debated a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Jonathan Ibhamahu, and seconded by Hon. Addeh Isibor.
The affected councillors were said to have abandoned their duty posts since January 2025, in violation of Section 12(1) of the Edo State Local Government Law 2000, which stipulates that a councillor’s seat shall be declared vacant if he or she fails to attend one-third of council meetings in a calendar year.
Ibhamahu, in his lead debate, decried the development, describing it as a betrayal of the electorate and a setback to grassroots governance.
“The legislative arm of government is fundamental in local administration. But in Edo, councillors elected by their people have abandoned their duty post for reasons best known to them. The essence of democracy is no longer felt in these wards,” he said.
He noted that the absence of councillors has denied residents of the affected wards the dividends of democracy and hampered meaningful development.
Hon. Addeh Isibor, in his contribution, aligned with the motion, stressing that the prolonged absence of the councillors was “seriously damaging local government administration in the state.”
He added that Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empowers the state assembly to make laws for the smooth running of local government.
Other lawmakers who contributed to the debate spoke in favour of the resolution, which was eventually adopted after a unanimous vote.
Meanwhile, the House also announced the receipt of a letter from Governor Monday Okpebholo, forwarding five new commissioner-nominees and four nominees for the Edo State Civil Service Commission for screening and confirmation.
The commissioner-nominees are Hon. (Barr.) Vincent Osas Uwadiae, Hon. Etin-Osa Ogbeiwi, Hon. Saturday Uwuilekhue Idehen (JP), Hon. Charity Amayaenvbo, and Prof. Roland Itoyah Otaru, SAN.
For the Civil Service Commission, Oko-Ose Samuel Ozemhonyelea, was nominated as Chairman, while Deborah Enakhimion, Elder David Ovbiosa Odaro (JP), and Isikpe Irene Kadiri were nominated as members.
In another development, the Assembly on Monday passed a bill repealing the Edo State Gaming Law 2020 and replacing it with a new law establishing the Edo State Lottery, the Edo State Lottery Regulatory Commission, and the Edo State Lottery Trust Fund.
