A House of Representatives aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi, has called for greater inclusion of women in governance as she unveiled a bitumen-driven economic development blueprint for Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency of Ondo State.
Fajemirokun-Ajayi made the call in Abuja after submitting her expression of interest and nomination forms, stressing that Nigeria's democracy must reflect all segments of society. She expressed concern over the low representation of women in elective positions, particularly in the National Assembly, describing it as a gap that requires urgent attention.
"There is clearly a shortage of women in key elective positions. That must change. Representation should reflect all segments of society, and when given the opportunity, women have the capacity to represent effectively and inclusively," she said.
The aspirant, who previously served as Executive Secretary of the West Africa Economic Summit Secretariat, said her decision to contest is driven by the need to amplify the voices of women and youths, while ensuring effective representation for her constituency.
Economic Blueprint Focused on Key Assets
Alongside her advocacy for inclusion, she unveiled an economic blueprint anchored on the development of key assets within the constituency, including the Ore industrial corridor, bitumen deposits in Odigbo, and the cocoa belt in Ile-Oluji. According to her, these resources remain largely underutilised despite their potential to drive industrialisation, create jobs, and boost local and national revenue.
"The resources exist, but representation has not matched them. What matters is ensuring that experience translates into real outcomes for our people," she stated.
Fajemirokun-Ajayi noted that her plan is focused on unlocking these assets to stimulate investment and sustainable growth across the Ore–Odigbo–Ile-Oluji economic corridor. She also highlighted her experience in policy, investment facilitation, and governance, noting that she has helped coordinate regional engagements and facilitated investment pipelines worth over $150 million during her time in public service, including as Senior Special Adviser to former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar.
Motivation and Campaign Priorities
On her motivation, she said: "I'm in the race to represent our women, our youths, and to ensure that the dividends of democracy reach our constituency."
While declining to directly criticise the incumbent lawmaker, she emphasised that elections provide an opportunity for constituents to choose between continuity and change. Fajemirokun-Ajayi further stated that her campaign would prioritise inclusive governance, grassroots engagement, and economic transformation, positioning the constituency as a viable industrial hub within Ondo State.
