Councillors across Edo State’s 18 local government areas began impeachment proceedings on Monday against acting chairmen, less than 24 hours after 59 newly elected councillors were issued Certificates of Return.

Sources within the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) told The Nation that the move aims to ensure APC members assume leadership of the councils instead of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In Uhunmwonde Local Government Area, eight councillors impeached Acting Chairman Hon. Iradia Benjamin, while the Acting Chairman of Esan West, Hon. Aigboboh, resigned voluntarily to avoid impeachment.

The development comes despite an ongoing Edo State High Court order restraining the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) and the state government from conducting local government by-elections in 59 wards.

The order, granted on September 16, 2025, by Justice Mary E. Itsueli following an ex parte motion filed by the PDP, cited that councillors in the affected wards still had valid tenure until September 2026, making any attempt to declare their seats vacant unlawful.

The PDP, represented by counsels Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, Michael Ekwemuka, and P. W. Akwuen, had sought leave to apply for judicial review of EDSIEC’s decision to conduct the polls. Justice Itsueli granted the leave and referred the matter to the Chief Judge of Edo State for reassignment to a regular court.