In a significant development for Nigerian politics, the confirmation of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as a non-career ambassador-designate by the Nigerian Senate has created an opportunity for fresh leadership in the Ondo South Senatorial District.
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares to fill this vacancy, one name stands out prominently: Hon. Jumoke Akindele, the trailblazing former Speaker of the Ondo Stte House of Assembly and the only woman to hold that position in the state’s history.
Akindele is a seasoned lawyer, educated at Obafemi Awolowo University, with a distinguished career in legal and public service. As a former legislator and Speaker, she demonstrated exceptional leadership, navigating complex legislative processes with eloquence, intellect, and strategic brilliance. Her tenure elevated the Ondo State House of Assembly, inspiring a generation of women and youth in politics.
This year, when the zone faced a crisis involving landowners and the Okitipupa Oil Palm Company (OOPC), the largest and most profitable enterprise in the area, which threatened peace and commercial activities in the senatorial zone, it was Akindele who stepped in to restore harmony. Elders and leaders of the zone, led by wartime hero and statesman General Olu Bajowa (rtd), nominated her as chairman of the committee tasked with resolving the issues. Through her efforts, the conflict was addressed, leading to restored peace in the land.
Among aspirants expressing interest in the seat, Akindele’s credentials are unparalleled. Hailing from Okitipupa—the largest town in the district and the headquarters of the local government of the outgoing Senator Jimoh Ibrahim—she aligns with the consensus that the local government should complete its term to maintain equity and representation.
Nigeria’s Senate currently has only four female members out of 109, highlighting a persistent gap in gender representation. Calls for increasing this number to better reflect the nation’s demographics have grown louder, with advocates pushing for greater female participation to bring diverse perspectives on issues like education, healthcare, and community development.
Akindele’s candidacy offers a historic chance for Ondo to lead by example. As a proven female leader, her election would advance the APC’s commitment to inclusivity and respond to national agitations for more women in the upper chamber.
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