By Gabriel Enogholase

BENIN—EDO State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has asked an Edo State  High Court sitting in Benin City, to  declare  that Section 21 (1) of the Edo State Local Government Electoral Law, as amended, otherwise called Edo State Local Government and the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission EDSIEC, Establishment,   (Re- Enacted) (Amendment Law), 2017, is invalid, null and void.

It consequently wants the court to restrain EDSIEC from conducting election into the 18 local government areas of the state on the basis of Section 21 (1) of the State Local Government Electoral Law and the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission Establishment (RE- Enactment ) law 2017.

The party also wants the court to set aside any election conducted on the basis of the said Section 21 (1) of the State Local Government Electoral Law and EDSIEC, (Re -Enactment ) Law 2017 for being invalid, null and void.

The party also wants the court to determine whether the amendment to the EDSIEC, 2012 by the Edo State House of Assembly was done following due process of law.

The party, in its amended originating summons filed before the court by its counsel, Mr. Kingsley Obamogie, wants the court to declare that any election conducted on the basis of Edo State Local Government Electoral Law and the EDSIEC Establishment (Re- Enacted Law) was illegal, invalid, null and void.

The case has been adjourned to April 11 for hearing.

Meanwhile, Edo PDP has said that in the last couple of days, it has been inundated with phone calls and visits from loyal and committed PDP members as well as members of the public seeking clarification whether it will participate in the local government elections scheduled for this weekend.

A statement by the state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Nehikhare in Benin City, yesterday said, “We want to reiterate that PDP is not participating in the sham elections. We did not submit any candidate for any of the positions in any of the wards and councils in the state.”