The Battle Between Odo Ado and Oke Ewi, By Chief Osasona Moses

…and the Role of the Palace

By Chief Osasona Moses

History is not just a record of the past; it is the compass that guides the future. When tradition is ignored, chaos takes its place; when fairness is abandoned, division festers. Today, in the heart of Ekiti, a silent battle brews between Odo Ado and Oke Ewi. It is not a clash of swords but of justice, equity, and the very soul of our political heritage.

To grasp the weight of this battle, we must first understand the political architecture of Ekiti State. The state is divided into six federal constituencies—two in each senatorial district: Ekiti Central, Ekiti North, and Ekiti South. Within these constituencies, political positions are rotated among the towns and districts that comprise them.

And the Ado/Irepodun and Ifelodun Federal Constituency is no exception. This constituency comprises two local governments: Ado-Ekiti and Irepodun/Ifelodun, which in turn comprises Iyin, Igede, Afao, Iworoko, Igbemo, Awo, Iropora, Eyio, and Esure.

Since 1999, the House of Representatives seat has rotated between these two local governments. Over the years, six individuals have held the position: Hon. Fajuru of Alliance for Democracy (1999–2001, until his untimely death); Orilele from Ado under PDP (2003–2007); Raji Rasaki from Ado under PDP (2007–2011); Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele under ACN (2011–2015); Hon. Oladimeji from Igede under PDP (2015–2019); and Olusola Fatoba from Ado under APC (2019–present). Out of these six representatives, two came from Irepodun/Ifelodun, while four came from Ado (two from the progressives and the other two from the PDP).

However, within Ado itself, the story deepens. Of the two House of Representatives members that emerged from Ado- Ekiti from the Progressive Party (Fajuru and Fatoba). Fajuru (constituency 1) served briefly for two years before his death, after which Orilele of the PDP won the next election. When the progressive party regained power, consensus dictated that the candidate should come from constituency II (Oke Ewi), and that decision brought forth Sola Fatoba from Ward 8 (Oke Ewi), who has now served for eight years. Fatoba, chosen in 2019 from Ward 8 (Oke Ewi), has now completed eight years in office. By the principle of rotation, it is only fair that the pendulum swings back to Odo-Ado (Constituency 1). Yet, as history teaches us, those who taste power rarely release it willingly. This is where the Palace must rise, not as a political actor, but as the guardian of tradition, ensuring that history is not twisted for selfish ends.

The Palace, by its nature, is the custodian of culture and heritage, not a political actor. Yet, at the request of Governor Biodun Abayomi, it has been asked to help guide the matter of representation. After all, those contesting for the position are sons and daughters of the king. So at this critical juncture, the palace must act as an impartial umpire, neither burying its head like the ostrich nor favouring one side. The current representative from Oke Ewi( Constituency 2) has completed eight years. It is time for Odo Ado to take its rightful turn, lest unnecessary tension be sown in the town.

We urge every stakeholder, including the party leaders and the palace to be fair and respect the old arrangement, and prevent a crisis that could undermine the very stability they seek to protect. Eight years is not a short time; it is a full cycle of opportunity and service. To stretch this to twelve years for one individual, particularly in a system built on rotation, is not just excessive; it is a betrayal of trust. What has he done to deserve twelve years that other party members have not done?

Let Odo Ado (constituency one) have its turn. Let fairness prevail. And let history remain the compass that guides our future.