The Akoko-Edo Development Association (AEDA), also known as the Akoko-Edo Forum, has demanded for the creation of three new Local Government Areas out of the current Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
The three new LGAs, according to the group are to be called Akoko-Edo North, Akoko-Edo South, and Akoko-Edo Central.
AEDA made this demand in a proposal submitted on 29th April 2025, to the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, which is currently meeting and collating position papers from groups, individuals, associations, and others to review the 1999 constitution.
In the letter signed by the chairman, Dr. Charles Jagun, and sighted by our Correspondent, the group argued that Akoko-Edo local government area boasts of a large and diverse population, spreading across a vast territory.
He said “We are confident that the creation of Akoko-Edo Central LGA,Akoko-Edo North and Akoko-Edo South LGAs will significantly benefit the people of Akoko-Edo We welcome the opportunity to discuss this proposal with you further and answer any questions you may have.”
The supporting documents showed that the administration of late Professor Ambrose Alli in May 1983 split the local government into three successive governments from the three months administration of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, as a democratically elected governor to date, did not implement the creation.
The group said the splitting of the local government into three was imperative for equitable development, efficient governance, and harnessing the socio-economic potentials embedded within these regions.
“Akoko-Edo LGA created in 1963, has a rich historical background as one of the oldest local government areas in Nigeria. It was part of the former Akoko-Edo division, which, along with the former Afemai division, Esan division, and Benin division, constituted the present-day Edo State. While the former Afemai division was later divided into five (5) local government areas, the former Esan division into five (5) local government areas, and the former Benin division into seven (7) local government areas, the former Akoko-Edo division remained as a single Akoko-Edo local government area.
“During the Second Republic (1979 – 1983) under the defunct Bendel State, the government of Ambrose Alli made an attempt to create three local government councils from the then Akoko-Edo local council, namely Central Akoko-Edo Local Government Council, Akoko-Edo North Local Government Council, and South Akoko-Edo Local Government Council reflecting a recognition of the area’s size and population. However, this initiative was discarded by the subsequent government for political reasons.”