The Akoko-Edo Development Association (AEDA), also known as the Akoko-Edo Forum, has renewed its call for the creation of three local government areas from the existing Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
The group is seeking the creation of Akoko-Edo North, Akoko-Edo South and Akoko-Edo Central from the present single local government.
The demand was contained in a position paper submitted to the Committee on Constitution Review, which is currently receiving memoranda from groups, individuals and organisations as part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.
In a covering letter signed by the association’s chairman, Dr. Charles Jagun, AEDA said Akoko-Edo has a large and diverse population spread across an extensive geographical area, making the proposed restructuring necessary for effective administration and development.
The group said the creation of the three local government areas would promote equitable development, improve governance and unlock the socio-economic potentials of the different parts of Akoko-Edo.
“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,” Jagun stated.
According to the association, the proposal is not entirely new, as an earlier attempt was made during the administration of the late Professor Ambrose Alli in the Second Republic.
AEDA explained that in May 1983, the then Bendel State Government under Alli proposed splitting Akoko-Edo into three local government councils — Central Akoko-Edo, Akoko-Edo North and South Akoko-Edo.
However, the initiative was not implemented by subsequent administrations.
The group argued that Akoko-Edo, created in 1963, remains one of the oldest local government areas in Nigeria and has a significant historical background.
It noted that the former Akoko-Edo Division, together with the former Afemai, Esan and Benin divisions, formed the areas that make up present-day Edo State.
According to the association, while the former Afemai Division was subsequently divided into five local government areas, the former Esan Division into five and the former Benin Division into seven, Akoko-Edo remained a single local government area.
The group maintained that the disparity had made the proposed restructuring necessary, particularly in view of the size, population and socio-economic potential of the area.
It further argued that the creation of the three councils would bring governance closer to the people, improve access to government services and facilitate more balanced development across Akoko-Edo.
The association therefore urged the Constitution Review Committee to consider its proposal and support the creation of the three local government areas.
The renewed demand has also brought back questions about the fate of the earlier 1983 proposal, which was initiated under the late Professor Ambrose Alli but never materialised.