Historical Development: Edo State was cre ated on August 27, 1991, by the administra tion of President lbrahim Badamasi Babangida. The state, which was excised from the former Bendel State, was created to satisfy the people's agitation for a state
Chief Ezedonmwem Ero Statue, Benin
under the leadership of the Oba of Benin, Omo N'Oba Erediauwa.
The defunct Bendel State was part of the protectorate of Southern Nigeria between 1900 and 1954 and Western Region between 1955 and 1963. Before the creation of states in 1991, the defunct Bendel State had been known by two other names the Mid Western Region in 1963 and the MidWestern State in 1967.
Administrative Areas: There were fourteen local government areas (LGAs) in the state, until recently when four new ones were created making eighteen LGAs in the state. The new LGAs are Egor, lkpobaOkha, lgueben and Etsako Central. Table 12.1 shows all the eighteen local government areas in Edo State.
Administrative Structure: In Edo State, federal, state and local governments,
as well as indigenous agencies encouraged by government, exist to facilitate
the business of governance. The State Executive Council is headed by the Executive
Governor. It comprises the Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the state government
The Governor's Office has depart ments such as Lands and Survey, Local Government,
Planning and Budget, et cetera. The Legislature is made up of the Speaker, Deputy
Speaker, Majority Leader, Majority Whip, Minority Leader, Minority Whip and
the number of House functionaries.
There is also the staff of the House led by the Clerk of the House. The judicial
arm of the government comprises the Chief Judge of the State, the President
of the Customary Court of Appeal and the other judges who preside at the Magistrate
Courts, High Courts and Customary Courts in the State. Indigenous agencies encouraged
by the government in the state include Cooperative Societies, Community Development
Unions, Community Banks, etcetera.
The state government plays an advisory role with regard to project design
and implementation and the payment of complementary sums of money for development
projects executed by these indigenous agencies.