Adegbite Clinches NDC Ticket for Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 1, Slams Fatoba’s 8-Year Record as ‘Disappointing’ 

… Condemns Arbitrary Use of Form K 

By Joseph Sunday  

Barrister Babafemi Adegbite, a lawyer with over three decades of practice, has emerged as the consensus candidate for Ekiti Central Constituency 1, covering Ado Ekiti and Irepodun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency, under the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Speaking in an interview, Adegbite described the consensus arrangement that produced his candidacy as “a show of political maturity and unity of purpose,” adding that credible leadership can emerge through dialogue and fairness.

He expressed disappointment on the 8 years already spent by the current occupier of the Reps position for Ado Ekiti and Irepodun/Ifelodun, in person of Honorable of Olusola Fatoba. 

Adegbite speaking on his background and career, said he was called to the Nigerian Bar on December 3, 1990, and currently practices law in Port Harcourt. 

A native of Ado Ekiti, he began his education at St. Paul’s Primary School before proceeding to Federal Government College, Port Harcourt, for his O-Levels. 

He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and also holds a Master’s degree from the same institution. He is a chartered arbitrator and mediator.

Asked what constituents should expect if he wins, Adegbite pointed to the NDC’s motto: “Service to the people, service to humanity.”  

“The NDC is a party with a difference. From the foundation, you can see sincerity. Aspirants were asked to pay only for the Expression of Interest form. If you were not cleared or selected, you didn’t have to buy the Nomination form. No other party has done that. It shows they care about people. Other parties collect for both forms even when they know they won’t qualify you,” he said.  

He argued that the ruling party has had little impact in Ado Ekiti and the constituency despite holding office for eight years. “We want to deliver the dividends of democracy and show that things can be done differently. My manifesto will be out during the campaign, but our goal is clear: make a visible difference in four years.”

Track Record and Grassroots Support  

Adegbite said his candidacy is anchored on years of private philanthropy. “I have a foundation. We’ve given palliatives, awarded scholarships, and supported communities during COVID-19. I’ve never held public office — this has all been from my private pocket. People are saying, ‘If he can do this privately, imagine what he’ll do with access to constituency projects and state support.’ That is what propelled me. The people called me to come out.”

He added that the “non-performance of the ruling party” is an advantage for the NDC. “As private citizens we’re doing this much. Imagine what we’ll do with state funds for constructive projects.”

On the State of Ekiti, Adegbite decried what he called the poor state of affairs in Ekiti. “There are complaints everywhere. Roads are bad, pensioners are crying, and I’ve heard salaries are being delayed, though they’re trying to clear backlogs now that elections are near. But the people know better. Harassing opponents and using state institutions to illegally detain people — these things must stop.”

On Form K, as a lawyer, he described Form K as a “very reprehensible and outdated practice” that “should have been outlawed a long time ago.”  

“If I were in the legislature now, I would have headed the legal machinery to outlaw it. With time, we will do that. That’s why things don’t work well.”