APC Sweeps Edo Local Government Election as Opposition Parties Boycott Poll

The All Progressives Congress has won all 18 chairmanship seats in the Edo State local government election held on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

The election was conducted by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission across the state’s 18 local government areas to elect chairmen and councillors.

Major opposition parties including the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, and African Democratic Congress did not field candidates for the polls.

The PDP announced its boycott, arguing that the process was rooted in illegality and constitutional violations following the dissolution of democratically elected local government officials.

PDP Chairman Tony Aziegbemi stated, “A process founded on constitutional violations cannot produce a legitimate democratic outcome. We will not legitimise illegality”.

A total of 12 political parties participated in the election, including the APC, All Progressives Grand Alliance, New Nigeria People’s Party, Young Progressives Party, Accord Party, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Democratic Party, Action People’s Party, Peoples Redemption Party, and National Rescue Movement.

Governor Monday Okpebholo cast his vote at Ward 2, Udomi Primary School in Esan Central Local Government Area. He arrived at his polling unit at about 10:24 a.m., joined other voters in the queue and voted at exactly 10:40 a.m.

The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission had recruited and trained 10,000 ad hoc staff for the exercise.

Commission Chairman Jonathan Aifuobhokhan assured residents of a free, fair, credible, transparent, peaceful and inclusive election, saying, “Our logistics are ready. Our transportation arrangements are complete.

Election personnel have been adequately trained. Electoral materials have been deployed”.

Low voter turnout and late arrival of electoral materials were reported across several polling units.

In Oredo and Egor Local Government Areas, many polling units recorded low participation. At Ugbowo Primary School in Ward 10, voters who arrived early were still waiting for officials and materials as of 9:00 a.m.

However, some areas reported peaceful conduct, with voter Austin Obasogie describing the exercise as “very peaceful”.

In Ovia South West Local Government Area, APC candidate Anthony Osarobo emerged chairman-elect after polling 98,994 votes across the council’s 10 wards.

The 30-year-old becomes one of the youngest politicians elected chairman of the local government.

He expressed gratitude to the electorate, saying, “I am happy to have emerged as the chairman-elect of Ovia South West. I do not take this victory for granted because it was made possible by the support and confidence reposed in me by the people. I will use this mandate to work tirelessly for the development and progress of Ovia South West”.

The Edo State Police Command enforced a restriction of movement from 12:00 midnight to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, with personnel deployed across all 18 local government areas to maintain order.