Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Edo State local government election held on Saturday, 11 July 2026, was marked by widespread voter apathy, with many eligible residents in the Benin metropolis choosing to shun the civic exercise in favour of football matches, commercial activities, and other personal engagements. Across several polling units, the low turnout was stark, and in some locations, the absence of voting materials and electoral officials further dampened participation.
The election, conducted by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), was held to elect chairmen for the 18 local government councils and councillors for the 192 wards across the state. However, the exercise was characterised by a general lack of enthusiasm, with many residents expressing little interest in the process. Commercial bus drivers, motorists, and traders were seen going about their normal activities, defying the movement restriction imposed by the police. In Oba Market, Lagos Street, Ebiwe, Mission Road, and Forestry Street, traders displayed their wares for sale while the election was in progress, indicating that many residents did not consider the poll a priority.
One of the most striking scenes of voter apathy unfolded at Uselu Secondary School, the voting centre for Polling Units 1 to 10, Ward 8, in Egor Local Government Area. Instead of queuing to vote, dozens of youths mounted goalposts and played football in sets, ignoring the election officials conducting the exercise nearby. A similar situation was observed in Ward 4 opposite Emokpae Primary School on Mission Road, and along Forestry Street in Ward 12, near the premises of the Edo City Transport Service. The youths, who were of voting age, said they had little interest in an election they believed lacked real political competition.
One of the footballers, Samson Osagie, explained that he was not motivated to participate because the outcome of the election had already been decided. "The election is won already because the APC is the only major party participating in the election. We do not even know some of the candidates," he said. Another youth, Thompson Momoh, said he had not obtained his Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and therefore could not vote. "I just registered for my voter's card and it is yet to come out. If it is ready before the 2027 election, I will vote. Meanwhile, I joined the football match because there is a restriction order and I can't go to work today," he added. Paul Omoregie, who also participated in the football match, said it was part of his regular weekend routine. "I play football here every Saturday and today cannot be exceptional," he said.
The low turnout was further compounded by the late arrival of electoral officials and voting materials across several polling units. In Oredo Local Government Area, voting did not commence at the official start time of 8:30 a.m. in many centres. At Imaguero Primary School, Ward 11, voting eventually began at about 9:00 a.m., about 30 minutes late. At the Oyegun Centre, Ward 2, Units 1 and 2, residents waited without electoral officials or materials as of 8:40 a.m. A lecturer at Benson Idahosa University, Mr Adewonyi Oyekanmi, who arrived at his polling centre at 7:47 a.m., said he was the first person to arrive but was still waiting for electoral officers more than an hour later. Similarly, at Aruogba Health Centre for Ward 2, Unit 85, and Wellspring University for Ward 2, polling unit 81, there were no election materials or officials as of 9:00 a.m.
In Egor Local Government Area, delays were equally widespread. At Ugbowo Estate Primary School, Ward 10, voting did not commence at the official time. At Polling Unit 26, located at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Ugbowo, neither election officials nor voting materials had arrived by the official hour. At Ugbowo Primary School, Wards 9 and 10, voters arrived early but had to wait for election officials and materials as of 9 a.m. The situation was similar across several other polling units, with many voters leaving after long waits.
Despite the low turnout and logistical challenges, Governor Monday Okpebholo, who voted at Ward 2, Udomi Primary School in Esan Central Local Government Area, described the election as peaceful and encouraging. He said the turnout was high and a demonstration of grassroots democracy. However, his assessment contrasted sharply with the reports from the field, where voter apathy was evident.
In the end, the All Progressives Congress (APC) swept all 18 chairmanship seats, winning every local government area in the state. The APC's dominance was not surprising, given that major opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Labour Party, had boycotted the election. Only 12 political parties participated, and the APC's clean sweep underscored the absence of genuine political competition, a sentiment echoed by the youths who chose football over voting. The election highlighted a growing disillusionment with the electoral process in Edo State, where many residents felt their votes would not make a difference.
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