INEC clears 9 parties to contest August 16 by-election in Edo 

By Jethro Ibileke

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared nine political parties to contest the August 16, 2025, by-election for the EDO Central Senatorial and Ovia Federal Constituency seats in Edo State.

The seats became vacant after the previous occupiers, Senator Monday Okpebholo and Hon. Dennis Idahosa, emerged as governor and deputy governor of the State in the September 2024 governorship election.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Benin City on Wednesday.

He gave names of the parties to as Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and All Progressives Congress (APC).

Others are: Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

According to Onuoha, 14 political parties initially indicated interest in contesting the poll, but only nine parties were invited by INEC to monitor their primary election.

He disclosed that the Commission is fully prepared to conduct a transparent and hitch-free election.

“From our records, the Labour Party and others didn’t invite us for their primaries.

“Some others invited us, but we got there, and their doors were locked. We could not find anyone.

“Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) has been configured, while non-sensitive materials have been deployed,” he stated.

The Edo REC, who expressed concern over the uncollected 101,617 Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) in the areas scheduled for the election, urged residents to pick up their cards.

“There are 719,504 registered voters in the seven local governments where the bye-election will be held. 101,617 voter cards are yet to be collected.”

The REC, who also dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s call for his redeployment, sued for media collaboration to enable the commission deliver a free, fair and credible election.

“Even if you bring your brother to INEC, he can’t compromise elections because of the way the Commission is structured,” he stated.