The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission has issued Certificates of Return to the councillorship candidates who emerged victorious in the by-elections held on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
The presentation took place on Monday at the EDSIEC headquarters, located on Airport Road in the GRA area of Benin City. Ovuchor Suleiman, who represented the Commission’s Chairman, Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, presided over the ceremony.
While many of the successful candidates were present to receive their certificates in person, several others were absent and did not collect theirs during the event.
The issuance of certificates marks the official conclusion of the by-election process, which had been the subject of significant legal contention. A High Court had earlier issued an ex parte order directing EDSIEC to suspend the elections. Despite the order, the Commission proceeded with the polls after filing a motion on notice to challenge the court’s decision.
EDSIEC, in a statement released on September 19, maintained that it would go ahead with the elections based on its interpretation of the legal situation.
The elections were notably boycotted by key opposition parties, leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the sole participant. As a result, the APC secured all 59 councillorship positions across the 15 local government areas where the by-elections were conducted.
