Women Need Influence, Not Permission In Nigerian Politics –Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi, Ondo APC House Of Reps Candidate

Simisola (Simi) Fajemirokun-Ajayi is a policy strategist, development advocate, and emerging political leader with extensive experience across governance, investment facilitation, public policy and grassroots development in Nigeria. She is currently an aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking to represent the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency of Ondo State in the House of Representatives. She previously served as Senior Special Assistant on Strategy, Investment and Partnership to former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and also served as Executive Secretary of the West Africa Economic Summit Secretariat. She coordinated the National Situation Room of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and has participated in World Economic Forum and development institutions.

Why did you venture into politics?

I am first a Nigerian woman who believes governance must reflect the people it serves. My journey has always been about advocacy, Inclusion, accountability, and creating systems where women and young people are not merely visible but influential.

Politics for me is not about ambition for ambition’s sake. It is about representation, service and ensuring capable people, especially women, are not discouraged from leadership.

What are the biggest challenges women face in Nigerian politics?

The barriers are structural, cultural and financial. Women are often questioned differently. A man is assessed for competence; sadly, a woman is assessed for permission. Women also face intimidation, character attacks, exclusion from decision-making rooms and sometimes violence, both physical and digital, call it cyber-bullying if you like.

Yet despite all this, women continue to contribute enormously at the community level, in public service governance, business and civic leadership.

First, women in politics are too often treated as interruptions instead of stakeholders. We need to put a stop to this. Secondly, Inclusion is not charity. It is democratic intelligence which we must strive to uphold.

Did you claim victory in the House of Representatives primaries in your constituency?

What I can say is that our agents and supporters across the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency of Ondo State collated results from the various centres, and the outcome reflected overwhelming support for our aspiration.

We remain confident in the democratic process and hopeful that the will of party members will ultimately be respected.

So, why do you think the results have not been released?

I would not want to speculate irresponsibly. However, the good thing is that Nigerians know that internal party contests can attract pressures from different interests, political gladiators and power blocs.

My position is simple: transparency strengthens democracy, while uncertainty weakens trust. I believe the party has an opportunity to demonstrate fairness and inspire confidence, especially among women and young aspirants.

Some people argue that you are not sufficiently known at home to win the general election. Is this true?

I respectfully disagree with that narrative because the evidence on the ground says otherwise. I have maintained a longstanding engagement within the constituency through community development initiatives, youth and women empowerment activities, educational support programmes and consistent interaction with stakeholders across the federal constituency.

Beyond politics, I have remained accessible and connected to the people.  What is most important is that the APC primary itself became a reflection of grassroots sentiment.

The delegates and support structures that participated in the process are the same political nucleus that drives mobilisation during general elections. Their support was not accidental; it was built over time through relationships, trust and visible community engagement.

Some of your opponents are believed to have the backing of powerful political godfathers. Does that concern you?

My strength has always been the grassroots. The people, party members, community mobilisers, ward leaders, women, youths and those who go door-to-door engaging voters are the real pillars of any political process. Those are the people I consider my political godfathers.

I have remained focused on presenting myself as competent, accessible and committed to service. Whether others have endorsements from powerful individuals is entirely their journey. I remain confident in the wisdom and strength of the grassroots. At the end of the day, political influence may shape conversations, but it is the people who shape victories.