By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: Determined to ensure inclusivity in Nigeria’s representative democracy, a coalition of youth leaders and business professionals from Ondo State on Friday purchased the All Progressives Congress APC Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for a female House of Representatives aspirant, Hon. Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi.

The group, which operates under the banner of the Progressive Youth Forum, said their decision to collectively fund and pick up the forms was the outcome of a structured assessment of aspirants seeking to represent the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

The Progressives described the move as a strategic investment in credible leadership and people-oriented representation.

According to the spokesperson of the coalition, Odedeyi Olatunji, their decision to collectively fund and pick up the forms underscores growing confidence in Fajemirokun-Ajayi’s capacity to deliver impactful and development-driven representation at the National Assembly.

The Forum told journalists that the assessment weighed candidates against criteria including proven competence, commitment to community development, the clarity of campaign manifestos, and overall acceptability within the constituency, and that Fajemirokun-Ajayi emerged as the clear choice on all counts.

They described her track record in community engagement, philanthropy and grassroots development as the defining factors in their decision, adding that her candidacy represented a convergence of experience, innovation and inclusive governance at a moment they said was critical for the constituency.

The Forum argued that the constituency stood at a crossroads requiring forward-thinking leadership capable of unlocking opportunities in agriculture, enterprise development and youth empowerment, and expressed confidence that Fajemirokun-Ajayi was best positioned to deliver that.

Responding, Fajemirokun-Ajayi described the gesture as both humbling and motivating.

She pledged to run an issue-based campaign anchored on improving livelihoods, expanding economic opportunities and ensuring that every community within the constituency feel represented at the National Assembly.

Political observers say the endorsement and financial backing by organized youth and professional groups could significantly strengthen her position ahead of party primaries, signaling a shift towards more participatory and community-driven political engagement within the constituency.

With this development, the race for the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency seat is gradually gathering momentum, as stakeholders and interest groups continue to align behind candidates they believe can best represent their aspirations.