Otunba Oluwadare Owolabi, known as ÌRÀWÒ ÒWÚRÒ, has completed a consultation tour across the five local government areas of Ekiti North, drawing large crowds and pointed feedback from constituents who say they are ready to decide their political future without external influence.
The tour covered all 56 wards in the senatorial district, where party leaders, community stakeholders, youth groups and women turned out in significant numbers. At nearly every stop, residents voiced a shared position, they want a shift from what they described as imposed candidacies and staged endorsements.
Many of them said they would no longer accept a system where candidates emerge without broad-based input. Instead, they insisted that electoral choices must reflect the will of voters at the grassroots.
The issue of representation featured strongly in the conversations. Several community members criticised what they called absentee leadership, accusing past representatives of disappearing after elections and returning only during campaign cycles. They demanded consistent engagement and measurable impact, not periodic appearances.
Participants also raised concerns about rising dependence on private individuals for basic support, a situation they linked to gaps in public leadership. According to them, elected officials must take responsibility for improving living conditions and reducing that reliance.
Otunba Owolabi, who met stakeholders across the district during the tour, said he understood the frustrations and signalled a different approach. He promised to prioritise accountability, rebuild trust and focus on outcomes that directly affect residents.
The consultations have sharpened political conversations in Ekiti North, with many residents framing the next election as a test of whether voter influence can outweigh entrenched political structures.
Across the district, the mood appears firm, constituents want visible leadership, closer engagement and the freedom to choose their candidate without interference.
