A women-focused advocacy group in Ekiti State, Success Ladies, has intensified its call on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress in the state and Governor Biodun Oyebanji to give favourable consideration to the aspiration of Mrs Tokunbo Ajila Jakande for the House of Representatives, stressing that the moment presents a historic opportunity to translate long-standing commitments to gender inclusion into practical political outcomes that will redefine representation in the state.
The group anchored its appeal on the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who at the party’s National Convention made a strong and unambiguous case for the expansion of political space for women, insisting that the progress, stability, and democratic depth of the nation are closely tied to how well women are integrated into governance structures at all levels. 
Addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti, the President of the group, Mrs Folasade Adaralegbe, described the President’s remarks as both timely and transformative, noting that they provide a moral and political compass for party leaders across the country, particularly in states like Ekiti with a reputation for political sophistication and progressive engagement.
She recalled that President Tinubu had raised fundamental concerns about the visible imbalance in legislative participation, questioning why parliamentary proceedings appear dominated by men, while also reaffirming the party’s readiness to move decisively in creating a special place for women within its internal arrangements and electoral strategies.
According to her, Ekiti State has consistently prided itself as a pacesetter in education, governance, and political awareness, and therefore carries a responsibility to lead by example in implementing the 35 per cent affirmative space for women, not merely as a symbolic gesture but as a concrete policy reflected in candidate selection and electoral support.
The group lamented that despite the state’s history of producing accomplished women in public service and leadership, there is currently no female representative from Ekiti in the National Assembly, a development they described as both politically limiting and socially unreflective of the state’s true demographic and intellectual composition.
Adaralegbe emphasized that the 35 per cent affirmative provision must be treated as a binding moral obligation rather than a rhetorical commitment, urging party stakeholders to ensure that it is operationalised in a way that gives capable women real access to the ballot and a fair chance at electoral victory.
Pledging its unalloyed support for the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the group noted that the emergence of a female representative in the National Assembly would significantly consolidate ongoing efforts of the Wife of the Governor Dr Olayemi Oyebanji to improve social welfare across the state.
They stressed that such representation would strengthen policy formulation and provide the necessary legislative backing to complement the initiatives of the governor’s wife, whose programmes they said have continued to put smiles on the faces of women, children, and vulnerable groups.
According to the group, aligning political representation with these grassroots interventions would not only deepen impact but also ensure more responsive and inclusive governance outcomes for the people of Ekiti State.
They presented a compelling case for Mrs Tokunbo Ajila Jakande, describing her as not only the sole female aspirant for the House of Representatives seat in the Ado/Irepodun Ifelodun Federal Constituency but also a tested political actor whose persistence over three consecutive electoral cycles reflects both courage and deep-rooted commitment to democratic ideals.
They noted that her repeated attempts to serve at the National Assembly level should not be viewed as mere ambition, but rather as evidence of consistency, loyalty to party structures, and an enduring relationship with constituents who have continued to benefit from her interventions despite her not holding elective office.
Beyond politics, the group further drew attention to her humanitarian footprint, particularly through the TAJ Children Foundation, which she established using personal resources, explaining that the initiative has directly impacted over 600 children while also sustaining the education of several beneficiaries from primary school through tertiary level.
They detailed a wide range of interventions under her leadership, including the provision of boreholes in underserved communities, sponsorship of GCE candidates, organisation of free tutorial programmes, and the consistent payment of monthly stipends to over 125 elderly citizens since 2020, all of which have contributed to improving living standards at the grassroots.
In addition to her social interventions, the group highlighted her economic contributions through strategic investments such as the establishment of a bakery to improve food accessibility, the construction of a community interactive centre equipped with learning facilities, and the development of a hospitality outfit that has boosted local enterprise and created employment opportunities.
Success Ladies maintained that Ajila Jakande represents a rare blend of competence, compassion, and commitment, arguing that her emergence as a federal lawmaker would not only strengthen legislative representation for Ekiti but also reinforce ongoing efforts by the state government, including initiatives championed by the First Lady, to improve the welfare of women, children, and vulnerable populations across the state.