Ondo APC Primary: Simi Fajemirokun-Ajayi Demands Transparency, Women’s Inclusion

An aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, Simi Fajemirokun-Ajayi, has called for transparency and fairness in the party’s primary election process, while advocating increased participation of women in Nigerian politics.

Fajemirokun-Ajayi, a policy strategist and development advocate, said democratic principles must prevail in the conduct of internal party processes, expressing confidence that the wishes of party members would ultimately be respected.

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 from 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.

She argued that women in politics are often treated as “interruptions rather than stakeholders,” adding that inclusion should be seen as a democratic necessity rather than charity.

Simi 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.