A member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly representing Gbonyin and Aiyekire Constituency, Princess Teju Okuyiga, has formally obtained her Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to contest for the House of Representatives seat for Ekiti South Federal Constituency II under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, a move that has heightened political activities within the constituency.
The development, which was confirmed by party sources and supporters across Gbonyin, Aiyekire, Emure, and Ekiti East Local Government Areas, signals her full entry into the race and sets the stage for what stakeholders describe as a competitive but strategic contest ahead of the party’s primary election.
Party leaders and members in the constituency have described her decision as a reflection of growing calls for tested and experienced hands to represent the people at the federal level, particularly at a time when effective legislative representation is increasingly tied to tangible constituency outcomes.
Her action has also reignited conversations around women participation in politics, with several stakeholders noting that her aspiration aligns with the long standing advocacy for the implementation of the 35 percent affirmative action policy aimed at improving female representation in governance.
Within the Ekiti APC structure, there have been renewed appeals to the state leadership to take deliberate steps toward encouraging credible female aspirants, especially in line with recent national level discussions on inclusion within the party.
Some party stakeholders referenced remarks made by President Bola Tinubu during the recent APC national convention, where he emphasized the need for greater accommodation and support for female candidates in the build up to the 2027 National Assembly elections.
In this context, attention has also turned to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, with party members urging him to sustain his administration’s inclusive approach by supporting processes that provide a level playing ground for qualified women seeking elective positionsnas well as implementing the appeal made by President Bola Tinubu on Women inclusion.
Supporters of Okuyiga argue that beyond the gender conversation, her aspiration is strengthened by her record of service and consistency within the party, describing her as a loyal member who has remained active in both legislative duties and grassroots political engagement.
Having served two terms in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, she is widely regarded within the constituency as a lawmaker whose interventions have been visible across critical sectors, including education, local economic support, and community based development initiatives.
Her legislative tenure has been marked by programmes such as bursary awards and financial support for students, as well as targeted empowerment initiatives for traders and vulnerable residents, which stakeholders say have had measurable impact on livelihoods.
In the area of infrastructure, constituents point to her facilitation of road maintenance interventions and community projects, which have contributed to easing transportation challenges and improving access within parts of the constituency.
Her role in supporting social welfare efforts, including relief interventions during periods of economic difficulty, has also been cited as part of her contributions to strengthening the relationship between representation and citizen welfare.
Citizens and denizens within the constituency further note that her academic background and legislative experience place her in a position to effectively navigate the demands of lawmaking at the national level, particularly in areas that require policy engagement and constituency advocacy.
For many party members, the combination of her political loyalty, governance experience, and grassroots connection presents a strong case as the party begins internal consultations ahead of the primaries.