A new socio-cultural body, the Ekamefa Leaders Forum (ELF), has been inaugurated to promote the collective interests of the Ekamefa people in Wards 11 and 12 of Ikole Local Government Area, northern Ekiti State.
The Forum, described as “a child of necessity,” comprises notable opinion leaders, political top shots, and elites from Ipao, Oke Ako, Itapaji, Iyemero, Irele, and Ijowa — the six towns that constitute the Ekamefa bloc in Ajoni Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
At its inaugural meeting, the ELF reviewed the socio-political situation of the area under the present democratic dispensation and observed that the Ekamefa people “have not really felt the full weight of governance from 1999 to date,” despite their significant political contributions.
The Forum noted that the six towns contribute 25 percent of total votes from Ikole Local Government and resolved to mobilise the bloc votes of the area for the incumbent Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, in the June 20, 2026 governorship election.
Speaking after the meeting, Protem Secretary of the Forum, Nelson Ikusagba, said the ELF was created to provide a united front for the six towns and to “totally stamp out political fragmentation, which has been the bane of development in the area.”
“Unity is key to the development of Ekamefa. We have resolved to queue behind Governor Oyebanji for his swift response to issues of insecurity in our area and his efforts in opening the gate of certain opportunities to our people,” Ikusagba stated.
The Forum, however, observed that what is currently coming from government to the people of the area remains “mere tips of the iceberg” compared to other wards in the zone. It lamented that Ekamefa has remained an underdog despite its unwavering stance on the path of political progressives over the years.
To address this, the ELF disclosed that it would soon seek audience with the state government to formally present the plight of the people and their expectations, with a view to sustaining their loyalty and ensuring adequate representation.
The emergency inaugural meeting, which was convened to take a common position ahead of the coming elections, had in attendance political leaders and elites from the Ekamefa stock. Members resolved to be painstaking in their political choice while pushing for a stronger face in government through adequate representation.
The Forum reiterated its commitment to total cohesion among the six towns, stressing that a united Ekamefa bloc is critical to attracting development and ending years of political neglect.
