Ekiti Appoints Prince Bamidele Oni as New Owa

The Ekiti State Executive Council approved the appointment of Prince Bamidele Olanrewaju Oni as the new Owa of Oke-Ako Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area on August 18, 2026, ending a 25-year vacancy in the traditional stool. This vacancy originated in 2000 due to a prolonged dispute over succession.

The council noted that the previous Owa was from the Okediosan Ruling House, making the Aofin Ruling House next in line to present a candidate. The Aofin Ruling House consists of three stocks: Oke-Aofin, Odo-Aofin, and Afata, which had been involved in litigation regarding their rights to present candidates.

A Supreme Court judgment on December 19, 2025, affirmed that all male members of the three stocks could contest for the chieftaincy. Following this, stakeholders reached a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure equity, allowing the Oke-Aofin stock to present candidates for the current vacancy.

Prince Oni was unanimously chosen by the four kingmakers and was declared Owa-elect, with the council authorizing the publication of his appointment in the Ekiti State Government Gazette.