APC Dominates Edo State Local Government Elections

Edo State conducted local government elections across 18 local government areas and 192 wards on July 11, 2026, to elect chairmen and councillors. The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission cleared 12 political parties to participate in the process.

Monday Okpebholo, the Governor of Edo State, characterized the exercise as peaceful and a demonstration of grassroots democracy, reporting high voter turnout after casting his ballot in Esan Central. However, other reports indicated a more fragmented experience. In the Oredo and Egor local government areas, voters faced logistical delays, including the late arrival of electoral materials and a lack of basic infrastructure like tables and chairs. APC candidate Blessing Ebhodaghe further alleged that issues with voter registration and Permanent Voter Card collection disenfranchised some citizens.

Results showed a dominant performance by the All Progressives Congress. In Ovia South West, 30-year-old Anthony Osarobo won the chairmanship with 98,994 votes, defeating 11 other candidates who scored between one and 42 votes. Returning Officer Dr. Arodoye Nosakhare officially returned Osarobo as the winner at the collation center.

Accredited observers from the Initiative for Awareness of Civic Education for Citizens reported that the process remained generally smooth and orderly in locations such as Udomi and Igueben. Despite the logistical complaints in urban centers, Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa and other state officials praised the transparency and overall peace of the elections.