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The political landscape of Ondo State is set to witness a historic development tomorrow, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) has settled for former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Jumoke Akindele, as its candidate for the forthcoming Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election.
The bye-election became necessary following the appointment of former Senator representing Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim, as an Ambassador by President Bola Tinubu, thereby creating a vacancy in the Senate seat that must now be filled to complete the district’s tenure in the 10th National Assembly.
Stakeholders across the state have described the emergence of Hon. Jumoke Akindele as a landmark moment capable of reshaping the narrative of women participation in governance and leadership in Ondo State and the wider South-West region.
The decision of the APC has also been widely applauded by party faithful, women groups, youth organizations and civil society stakeholders, many of whom described the move as a bold and progressive response to sustained calls for gender inclusion in the political structure of the state.
Commendations have particularly poured in for the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and leaders of the APC in the state for what has been described as their courage and foresight in supporting the aspiration of a qualified female candidate for such a strategic national assignment.
A cross section of the people of Ondo State, say the development signals a growing recognition of the role women can play in governance, especially in legislative leadership and policy formulation.
Hon. Jumoke Akindele is widely regarded as one of the most experienced female politicians in Ondo State. Her political career gained national attention when she emerged as the first female Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, a position through which she demonstrated administrative competence, legislative capacity and commitment to democratic governance.
Supporters of her candidacy have continued to point to her impressive antecedents in public service, grassroots mobilization and legislative experience as strong indicators that she possesses the capacity to effectively represent the interests of the people of Ondo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly.
Many party stakeholders believe her emergence will not only deepen women inclusion in governance but also inspire a new generation of female political leaders across the country.
Voters across Ondo South are also optimistic that her experience and network within government circles will attract greater federal attention to the developmental needs of the district, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, youth empowerment, education, coastal development, economic expansion and community welfare.
Political commentators have further noted that her potential victory in the bye-election would make history as Ondo South moves closer to producing its first female Senator since the creation of the district.
Stakeholders within the APC maintain that the choice of Hon. Jumoke Akindele reflects the party’s commitment to competence, inclusiveness and effective representation, while also strengthening the party’s political base ahead of future electoral contests in the state.
As preparations intensify for the bye-election, many residents of the district are already expressing confidence that the former Speaker’s experience, maturity and political reach would provide effective representation for the people and ensure continuity in legislative engagement for Ondo South at the Red Chamber.
