Ekiti community gets new traditional ruler after 25-year vacancy

After a 25-year vacancy, Prince Bamidele Oni has been appointed the new Owa of Oke-Ako Ekiti in the Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The Ekiti State Executive Council approved his appointment on Tuesday, August 18, bringing an end to a prolonged dispute over succession to the traditional stool.

The vacancy dated back to 2000. The stool is governed by a declaration that designates two ruling houses, Aofin and Okediosan, to rotate the position. As the previous Owa hailed from the Okediosan house, the Aofin house was next in line. However, three stocks within the Aofin house were involved in extensive litigation for approximately 25 years over who would present candidates.

A Supreme Court judgment on December 19, 2025, affirmed that all male members of the three stocks were eligible to contest. Subsequently, stakeholders reached a memorandum of understanding to ensure fairness and communal harmony. Under this agreement, the Oke-Aofin stock, which had never produced an Owa, was designated to present candidates for this vacancy. The Odo-Aofin stock will have the opportunity at the next rotation.

Prince Oni emerged as the unanimous selection of the four participating kingmakers after a selection process that included traditional rites like Ifa divination, alongside adherence to the rule of law. The Oke-Ako Progressive Union, through its National Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Olukosi, described the approval as the culmination of a long succession process, following the passing of the last monarch, Oba Jackson Omotayo Ogunbiyi, on December 10, 2000.

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The stool became vacant following the passing of the late monarch, Oba Jackson Omotayo Ogunbiyi, on December 10, 2000.