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 dismissed claims that she lacks sufficient grassroots support to win a general election.
Speaking during an interview with in Abuja on Friday, the policy strategist and development advocate rejected suggestions that she is not well known within her constituency.
Fajemirokun-Ajayi said her record of community engagement, empowerment programmes and stakeholder interactions demonstrates her strong connection with the people.
According to her, she has consistently invested in community development initiatives, youth and women empowerment projects, educational support programmes and regular engagement across the constituency.
She maintained that her visibility and accessibility to residents have remained central to her public service efforts beyond partisan politics.
The APC aspirant also argued that the outcome of the party’s primary election reflected grassroots sentiment, noting that delegates and party structures involved in the process represent the same mobilisation base used during general elections.
“The support we received was built over time through trust, relationships and sustained community engagement,” she said, expressing confidence that party members’ decisions would ultimately be respected.
Commenting on women’s participation in politics, Fajemirokun-Ajayi said female aspirants continue to face structural, cultural and financial barriers, including intimidation, exclusion from decision-making and online harassment.
She argued that women are often subjected to different standards in politics and stressed that greater inclusion is necessary for national development.
“Nigeria cannot develop while excluding half of its talent pool from political participation,” she said.
Addressing recent public attention over her past advocacy against alleged workplace harassment, she maintained that speaking out against misconduct strengthens institutional accountability and creates safer environments for women.
Fajemirokun-Ajayi, a former Senior Special Assistant on Strategy, Investment and Partnership to former Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar and former Executive Secretary of the West Africa Economic Summit Secretariat, said her political ambition is centred on representation, service and inclusive governance.
She youth empowerment, women’s inclusion, education, entrepreneurship and local economic growth as key priorities if elected, adding that politics should focus on citizens’ concerns such as jobs, security and economic opportunities.
She expressed appreciation to women groups, youth organisations, religious communities and stakeholders across the constituency, while calling on political leaders to uphold fairness, accountability and inclusive participation in governance.
