A pro-democracy group, the Ondo State Vanguard for Democracy, has urged the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Ondo State and Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to support greater women inclusion in elective politics by backing former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Jumoke Akindele Ajulo, for the forthcoming Ondo South Senatorial bye-election.
The group made the appeal in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Princess Akinjomo Adeola, ahead of the bye-election expected to fill the vacancy created following the appointment of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as an ambassador by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the group, the bye-election presents a rare opportunity for the APC and the state government to deepen gender inclusion and strengthen women participation in governance.
The statement commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for what it described as his administration’s conscious efforts toward promoting women inclusion through appointments into ministries, agencies and other government positions.
However, the group argued that women should not only be accommodated through appointments but should also be deliberately encouraged and supported to occupy strategic elective offices.
“Democracy can only flourish when women are not merely participants at the margins, but active decision-makers at the highest levels of leadership,” the statement read.
The organization described Jumoke Ajulo as one of the most experienced female political leaders produced by Ondo State, citing her tenure as the first female Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly as evidence of her competence, legislative experience and capacity for consensus building.
It further noted that the former Speaker has remained politically active and grassroots-oriented across the six local government areas of Ondo South Senatorial District, earning respect among party members, professionals, youth groups and community stakeholders.
The group maintained that supporting Ajulo’s senatorial aspiration would send a strong message about the APC’s commitment to gender balance and inclusive representation, particularly at a time when women remain underrepresented in Nigeria’s political landscape.
It also argued that her emergence would advance fairness and political balancing within the district, noting that both Ajulo and Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim are from the same local government area.
The statement emphasized that women have consistently demonstrated leadership capacity in governance, legislative advocacy, conflict resolution and community development, adding that increased female representation often leads to greater attention to healthcare, education, youth development and family welfare.
The group therefore called on Governor Aiyedatiwa, APC stakeholders and delegates in Ondo South to support Ajulo’s aspiration and embrace what it described as a broader vision of inclusive governance and sustainable democratic development.
It added that history would judge the moment either as another missed opportunity for women inclusion or as a defining point in Ondo State’s commitment to fairness, competence and progressive politics.