Dr. Funmi Waheed-Adekojo, a 40-year-old mechanical engineer, has emerged as the first female aspirant to officially join the race for the governorship ticket of Ondo State.
Dr. Waheed-Adekojo made headlines on Wednesday as she became the trailblazer by picking up the N10 million expression of interest form at the All Progressives Congress (APC) national secretariat, signaling her intent to contest for the highest office in the state.
The APC has set the expression of interest form at N10 million, with a concession for female aspirants and persons with disabilities to procure only the expression of interest form, while the nomination form is free.
Despite facing formidable opponents such as the incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, business mogul and senator representing Ondo South district, Jimoh Ibrahim, and notable APC chieftain Olusola Oke, Dr. Waheed-Adekojo remains undeterred.
Addressing the media after obtaining her form, she expressed confidence in her candidacy, stating that she is not intimidated by the competition.
“I am not in the race to represent or serve the interest of anybody,” Dr. Waheed-Adekojo declared. “I am a woman of the people who is closer to those at the grassroots. As a mechanical engineer and a Fellow of the Society of Engineers, I am in this race to win and become the first female governor of Ondo State.”
With her background in engineering and dedication to empowering women and youths through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship, she says she embodies the spirit of progress and inclusivity.
“I am not only representing myself,” she said. “I am here to represent the women in the world, especially here in Africa, where we need to showcase what we can do. This is the era where women have to come on board to replace a lot of things that are missing in our society.”
