Government of Edo State

The government of Edo State serves as the governing authority for Edo State, one of the 36 states within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It comprises three branches of government: the executive branch led by the Governor of Edo State, the legislative branch represented by the Edo State House of Assembly, and the judicial branch, including the Judiciary of Edo State and the Courts of Edo State. The state government operates under the frameworks of the Constitution of Nigeria and the Constitution of Edo State, delineating the powers, duties, and functions of state organs and institutions. It also encourages direct participation from the electorate through mechanisms such as initiative, referendum, and ratification.

Established on 27 August 1991, Edo State was carved out of the former Bendel State, itself formed in 1976 through the amalgamation of the former Mid-Western Region and the former Western Region. The state's capital and largest city is Benin City, historically significant as the seat of the ancient Benin Empire. Geographically situated in the South South geopolitical zone, Edo State shares borders with Kogi State to the northeast, Anambra State to the east, Delta State to the southeast and south, and Ondo State to the west. Covering an area of 19,559 km2, the state had a population of 4.8 million as of 2022. Edo State boasts ethnic diversity, with the Edo people (or Bini) forming the largest group, followed by the Esan people, the Owan people, the Etsako people, and other smaller groups. The primary language is Edo language, with English serving as the official language. Major religions include Christianity, followed by Islam and traditional religions.

Referred to as the "Heartbeat of the Nation," Edo State earns this title due to its strategic location, cultural heritage, and economic potential. The state is a producer of commodities such as rubber, palm oil, cocoa, cassava, yam, plantain, banana, maize, rice, and groundnut. It is also endowed with mineral resources, including petroleum, natural gas, limestone, granite, clay, and gold. Edo State features several tourist attractions, including the Benin City National Museum, the Oba's Palace, the Okomu National Park, the Ososo Tourist Centre, and the Somorika Hills. The state is renowned for its arts and culture, with highlights such as the Benin bronze sculptures, the Igue festival, the Edo masquerade festival, and the Esan dance.

Executive branch
The executive branch, headed by the Governor of Edo State, operates on the premise of popular election, with the governor serving a four-year term, renewable for a maximum of two terms. The governor assumes the roles of chief executive officer and chief accounting officer of the state, responsible for formulating and implementing state policies, presenting the state budget, making appointments, ensuring public order and security, and coordinating state relations. The governor also holds powers to assent to or veto bills, grant pardons, declare a state of emergency, and issue executive orders and proclamations.

Assisting the governor is the Deputy Governor of Edo State, elected on the same ticket, who performs functions assigned by the governor and acts as governor in the latter's absence, death, resignation, impeachment, or permanent incapacity. As of the latest elections in 2020, Godwin Obaseki serves as the governor, affiliated with the People's Democratic Party (PDP), with Philip Shaibu as the deputy governor, who was later replaced by Omobayo Godwins in April 2024 after Shaibu was impeached.

The governor is also supported by the Edo State Executive Council, which is the highest policy-making organ of the state. The executive council consists of the governor, the deputy governor, and the commissioners appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state legislature. The commissioners head the various ministries of the state and are responsible for the administration and management of the state affairs in their respective portfolios. The executive council also includes the Secretary to the State Government, who is the principal administrative officer of the state and the head of the Edo State Civil Service; the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Edo State, who is the principal political adviser to the governor and the coordinator of the governor's office; and the Head of Service of Edo State, who is the chief executive officer of the state civil service and the chairman of the Edo State Civil Service Commission. The executive council also has other members, such as the Attorney General of Edo State, who is the chief law officer of the state and the head of the Edo State Ministry of Justice; the Auditor-General of Edo State, who is the chief accounting officer of the state and the head of the Edo State Audit Service Commission; and the Accountant-General of Edo State, who is the chief financial officer of the state and the head of the Edo State Treasury.

The executive branch also includes several agencies, boards, parastatals, and corporations that are established by law or by executive order to perform specific functions or provide specific services for the state. Some of these agencies are the Edo State Internal Revenue Service, which is responsible for the assessment and collection of the state taxes and revenues; the Edo State Waste Management Board, which is responsible for the management and disposal of the state solid and liquid wastes; the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission, which is responsible for the development and empowerment of the state communities affected by oil and gas exploration and exploitation; the Edo State Geographic Information Service, which is responsible for the management and administration of the state land and property; the Edo State Investment Promotion Office, which is responsible for the promotion and facilitation of the state investment opportunities and potentials; and the Edo State Information Communication Technology Agency, which is responsible for the development and implementation of the state information and communication technology policies and programs.

Legislative branch
The legislative branch of the state government is the Edo State House of Assembly, which is the unicameral legislature of the state. The house of assembly consists of 24 members, who are elected by popular vote from 24 constituencies of the state for a four-year term and can serve a maximum of three terms. The house of assembly is the law-making organ of the state and has the power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the state; to approve the state budget and oversee the state expenditure; to confirm the governor's appointments to confirm the governor's appointments and remove them for misconduct; to impeach the governor or the deputy governor for gross misconduct; and to exercise oversight functions on the executive and judicial branches. The house of assembly also has the power to initiate, conduct, or request inquiries or investigations on any matter of public interest; to summon any person to appear before it or its committees to give evidence or produce documents; and to make resolutions or recommendations on any matter of public interest.

The house of assembly is presided over by the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, who is elected by the members from among themselves and is the principal officer and spokesperson of the house. The speaker is assisted by the Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, who is also elected by the members from among themselves and acts as the speaker in the event of the speaker's absence, death, resignation, impeachment, or permanent incapacity. The speaker and the deputy speaker are also members of the Edo State House of Assembly Leadership, which is the governing body of the house and consists of other principal officers, such as the Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, the Minority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, the Chief Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly, and the Clerk of the Edo State House of Assembly. The leadership is responsible for the administration and management of the house affairs, such as the allocation of seats, offices, and facilities; the appointment and supervision of the house staff; the preparation and approval of the house budget; and the regulation and enforcement of the house rules and procedures.

The house of assembly also has several committees, which are sub-groups of the house members that are established by the house resolution or by the speaker's directive to perform specific functions or handle specific matters for the house. The committees are classified into two types: the standing committees, which are permanent and deal with the general subjects or issues of the house, such as the Public Accounts Committee of the Edo State House of Assembly, the Appropriation Committee of the Edo State House of Assembly, and the Rules and Business Committee of the Edo State House of Assembly; and the ad hoc committees, which are temporary and deal with the specific subjects or issues of the house, such as the Committee of the Whole House of the Edo State House of Assembly, the Select Committee of the Edo State House of Assembly, and the Conference Committee of the Edo State House of Assembly. The committees are headed by the Chairperson of the Edo State House of Assembly Committee, who is appointed by the speaker or elected by the committee members from among themselves and is responsible for the coordination and supervision of the committee activities, such as the conduct of hearings, investigations, or deliberations; the preparation and presentation of reports or bills; and the liaison with the other branches or organs of the state government.

The current speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly is Blessing Agbebaku, who was elected in 2023 and represents the Owan West constituency on the platform of the PDP. The current deputy speaker is Maria Edeko, who was also elected in 2023 and represents the Esan North-East II constituency on the platform of the PDP.

Judicial branch
The judicial branch of the state government is the Judiciary of Edo State, which is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary is independent of the executive and legislative branches and is subject to the Constitution of Nigeria, the Constitution of Edo State, the Laws of Edo State, and the Common law. The judiciary is composed of the Courts of Edo State, which are classified into two types: the Superior courts of record of Edo State, which are the higher courts that have jurisdiction over the major civil and criminal cases and appeals; and the Inferior courts of record of Edo State, which are the lower courts that have jurisdiction over the minor civil and criminal cases and appeals.

The highest court of the state is the Edo State High Court, which is the superior court of record that has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters arising from the state laws or the common law. The high court also has appellate jurisdiction over the decisions of the inferior courts of record and the Customary courts of Edo State, which are the courts that apply the customary law of the state. The high court consists of the Chief Judge of Edo State, who is the head of the state judiciary and the presiding judge of the high court; and other judges of the high court, who are appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and confirmed by the state legislature. The high court is divided into several judicial divisions, which are the geographical areas of the state where the high court sits and exercises its jurisdiction. The current chief judge of Edo State is Daniel Okungbowa, who was appointed in 2023.

The inferior courts of record of the state are the Edo State Magistrates' Courts, which are the courts that have jurisdiction over the summary civil and criminal cases and appeals; and the Edo State District Courts, which are the courts that have jurisdiction over the minor civil and criminal cases and appeals. The magistrates' courts and the district courts consist of the magistrates and the district judges, respectively, who are the judicial officers of the courts and are appointed by the governor on the advice of the state judicial service commission.

The judiciary also has several judicial service commissions, which are the bodies that are responsible for the administration and management of the judicial affairs of the state, such as the appointment, promotion, discipline, and removal of the judicial officers and staff; the formulation and implementation of the judicial policies and programs; the preparation and approval of the judicial budget; and the regulation and enforcement of the judicial rules and procedures. The judicial service commissions are the Edo State Judicial Service Commission, which is the commission that oversees the affairs of the high court, the magistrates' courts, and the district courts; the Edo State Sharia Judicial Service Commission, which is the commission that oversees the affairs of the sharia court of appeal and the sharia courts; and the Edo State Customary Judicial Service Commission, which is the commission that oversees the affairs of the customary court of appeal and the customary courts. The judicial service commissions consist of the chief judge, the grand kadi, or the president of the customary court of appeal, respectively, who are the chairpersons of the commissions; and other members, who are appointed by the governor or elected by the judicial officers from among themselves.

Budget
The budget of Edo State represents the annual financial plan outlining the anticipated revenue and expenditure for the fiscal year. Crafted by the executive branch, led by the governor, it undergoes scrutiny and approval by the legislative branch, embodied by the Edo State House of Assembly. The budget aligns with the state's economic and developmental priorities, incorporating projections of income from diverse sources, including taxes, fees, grants, loans, and oil revenue.

For the 2023 fiscal year, the budget of Edo State stands at N320.35 billion, marking a substantial 69.37 per cent increase from the N222 billion allocated in 2022. Governor Godwin Obaseki presented this budget, themed "Making Edo Great Again," to the Edo State House of Assembly on November 17, 2022. The budget's core objective is to consolidate the achievements of the governor's first term and fulfill campaign promises centered on enhancing the welfare and well-being of the people of Edo State.

Capital city
Benin City, the capital of Edo State, stands as the largest and most populous urban center within the state. Nestled in the south-central region along the Benin River, the city spans an area of 1,204 km2. According to the 2006 census, Benin City boasted a population of 1,050,000, with an estimated urban population reaching 1,495,000 by 2016. Ranking as the fourth-largest city in Nigeria, it follows Lagos, Kano, and Ibadan.

Benin City holds significance as the historical and cultural nucleus of both Edo State and Nigeria. Serving as the epicenter of the ancient Benin Empire, which thrived from the 13th to the 19th century, the city gained acclaim for its collection of artistic treasures, including bronze sculptures, ivory carvings, and terracotta artworks collectively known as the Benin Bronzes. The renowned Oba's Palace, residence of the Oba of Benin, the traditional ruler and spiritual leader of the Edo people, graces the city. Adorned with bronze plaques illustrating the history and culture of the Benin Empire, the palace is a cultural landmark. Additionally, Benin City hosts various festivals and ceremonies, such as the Igue Festival, the Edo Masquerade Festival, and the Coronation of the Oba.

Beyond its cultural heritage, Benin City serves as the economic and administrative nucleus of Edo State and Nigeria. It plays a pivotal role in the nation's rubber industry and serves as a major producer of palm oil, cocoa, cassava, yam, plantain, banana, maize, rice, and groundnut. Abundant in mineral resources, including petroleum, natural gas, limestone, granite, clay, and gold, the city boasts industrial and commercial zones such as the Benin Industrial Estate, Benin City Textile Mill, Benin City Rubber Factory, and Benin City Oil Mill. Furthermore, it hosts financial and service institutions, encompassing banks, insurance companies, hotels, restaurants, and markets.

Benin City stands as a prominent educational and scientific hub within Edo State and Nigeria. Home to the University of Benin, established in 1970 and recognised as one of the country's leading universities. The city also has several other tertiary institutions, such as the Ambrose Alli University, the Benson Idahosa University, the Edo State Polytechnic, the Edo State College of Education, and the Edo State School of Nursing and Midwifery. The city also has several research and development centers, such as the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, and the Edo State Agricultural Development Programme.

Benin City is the transportation and communication hub of Edo State and Nigeria, as it is connected by road, rail, air, and water to other parts of the state, the country, and the world. The city has several road networks, such as the Benin-Lagos Expressway, the Benin-Asaba Expressway, the Benin-Auchi Expressway, and the Benin-Bypass. The city also has a railway station, which is part of the Nigerian Railway Corporation network that links the city to Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, and other major cities in the country. The city also has an airport, the Benin Airport, which is operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and serves domestic and international flights. The city also has a seaport, the Gelegele Seaport, which is located on the Benin River and serves as a gateway for the export and import of goods and services. The city also has several communication facilities, such as telephone, radio, television, internet, and postal services.

Benin City is the political and social hub of Edo State and Nigeria, as it is the seat of the state government and the headquarters of the Edo South Senatorial District, the Edo Central Senatorial District, and the Edo North Senatorial District. The city also has several local government areas, such as the Oredo, the Egor, the Ikpoba-Okha, the Ovia North-East, the Ovia South-West, and the Uhunmwonde. The city also has several political parties, civil society organisations, religious groups, and ethnic associations, that represent the interests and aspirations of the people of Edo State and Nigeria.

Local government
Edo State is divided into 18 local government areas (LGAs), which are the third-tier of government in Nigeria, after the federal and state governments. The LGAs are the basic units of administration and development in the state and are responsible for the provision of essential services and amenities to the people within their jurisdictions. The LGAs are governed by the local government councils, which are the elected bodies that exercise the legislative and executive powers of the LGAs. The local government councils consist of the chairperson, who is the head and the chief executive officer of the LGA; the vice-chairperson, who is the deputy head and the chief accounting officer of the LGA; and the councillors, who are the representatives of the wards of the LGA. The local government councils also have the secretary, who is the principal administrative officer of the LGA and the head of the local government service commission; and the heads of department, who are the heads of the various departments of the LGA and are responsible for the administration and management of the LGA affairs in their respective portfolios.

The 18 LGAs of Edo State are:

The LGAs of Edo State are further divided into 192 wards, which are the smallest units of administration and development in the state and are represented by the councillors in the local government councils. The wards are also the electoral constituencies for the local government elections, which are conducted by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC). The local government elections are held every four years and are based on the first-past-the-post system. The local government councils are accountable to the people through the periodic elections and the public accounts committee, which is the committee that audits and scrutinises the accounts and expenditure of the LGAs.

The LGAs of Edo State are also subject to the supervision and control of the state government, which is exercised by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs of Edo State, which is the ministry that oversees the affairs of the LGAs and the traditional institutions in the state; and the Local Government Service Commission of Edo State, which is the commission that regulates and coordinates the service matters of the LGAs in the state. The state government also has the power to create, merge, or dissolve the LGAs, subject to the approval of the state legislature and the ratification of the people through a referendum.

The LGAs of Edo State are the closest level of government to the people and are responsible for the provision of essential services and amenities, such as primary education, primary health care, rural water supply, rural electrification, environmental sanitation, waste management, road maintenance, market development, agricultural extension, and community development. The LGAs also have the power to make bye-laws for the good governance of their areas, subject to the conformity with the state and federal laws. The LGAs also have the power to generate revenue from various sources, such as taxes, fees, fines, grants, loans, and allocations from the state and federal governments. The LGAs also have the power to cooperate and collaborate with other LGAs, the state government, the federal government, and other agencies or organisations for the promotion of the common interests and welfare of the people.