*Says ‘I Am Well Known At Home’
An All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency seat, Simi Fajemirokun-Ajayi, has dismissed claims that she is not sufficiently known within her constituency to win in the general election.
Disclosing this during an interview with news correspondents in Abuja on Friday morning, Fajemirokun-Ajayi, a policy strategist and development advocate, responded to concerns over her level of popularity at home.
She said she disagrees with the narrative, insisting that her track record of community engagement demonstrates a strong grassroots presence.
She said she has remained actively involved in the constituency through community development initiatives, youth and women empowerment programmes, educational support schemes, and continuous engagement with stakeholders across the constituency.
According to her, beyond politics, she has maintained close contact with residents, stressing that visibility and accessibility have been consistent parts of her public engagement strategy.
Fajemirokun-Ajayi also noted that the outcome of the APC primary reflected grassroots sentiment, adding that delegates and party structures involved in the process represent the same mobilisation base used during general elections.
She further said the support she received during the primary was built over time through trust, relationships, and sustained community involvement.
“I respectfully disagree with that narrative because the evidence on the ground says otherwise,” she said.
The House of Representatives hopeful added that she remains appreciative of the support from women’s groups, youth organisations, religious communities, and other local stakeholders across the constituency.
Speaking amid ongoing discussions over the outcome of the APC House of Representatives primary election in Ondo State, she said results collated by her supporters and agents across the constituency reflected significant grassroots support for her aspiration.
“We remain confident in the democratic process and hopeful that the will of party members will ultimately be respected,” she said, adding that transparency strengthens democracy while uncertainty weakens public trust.
The APC aspirant noted that internal political contests often attract competing interests but maintained that fairness and due process should guide outcomes, particularly for women and young people seeking political office.
Fajemirokun-Ajayi said women in Nigeria continue to face structural, cultural and financial barriers in politics, including intimidation, character attacks, exclusion from decision-making processes and online harassment.
According to her, women are often assessed differently to men in politics, and she stresses that greater inclusion is essential for national development.
“Nigeria cannot genuinely develop while excluding half of its talent pool from political participation,” she said, contending that women in politics are often treated as “interruptions rather than stakeholders.”
To her, inclusion should be seen as a democratic necessity rather than charity.
Fajemirokun-Ajayi also spoke on recent media attention surrounding her past advocacy against alleged workplace harassment, saying such experiences should not permanently define women who speak out.
She maintained that speaking up against misconduct was necessary to protect institutional accountability and ensure safer working environments for women.
“Silence protects and enables abuse; accountability protects institutions,” she said, adding that courage should not become a punishment for women.
Fajemirokun-Ajayi, who previously served as Senior Special Assistant on Strategy, Investment and Partnership to former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and as Executive Secretary of the West Africa Economic Summit Secretariat, said her political ambition is driven by representation, service and inclusive governance.
She identified youth empowerment, women’s inclusion, education, entrepreneurship and strengthening local economic opportunities as priority areas, if elected into the National Assembly.
The founder of Read2Succeed Africa said politics should focus on addressing citizens’ everyday concerns, including jobs, education, security, and economic opportunities.
She expressed appreciation for the support received from women’s groups, youth organisations, religious communities and stakeholders across the constituency, insisting that her political engagement had been built over the years through community development initiatives and grassroots interactions.
Fajemirokun-Ajayi said she remained optimistic about the future of inclusive politics in Nigeria and called on political leaders to uphold fairness, accountability and women’s participation in governance.
“This moment is bigger than me. It is about the future of inclusive politics in Nigeria and whether capable women can participate without intimidation,” she said.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Fajemirokun-Ajayi.
