..faults FG over Father’s exclusion from national honours list

Mrs. Jumoke Ajasin-Anifowoshe, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and daughter of former Ondo State Governor, the late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, has decried the lack of ideological commitment and value-based leadership in Nigeria’s political landscape, stressing the need for urgent reforms to restore public trust.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, the legal practitioner and former APC governorship aspirant affirmed that she remains active in partisan politics despite her low public visibility in recent years.

“I am still very much active. Political engagement doesn’t always mean being loud. I connect with the grassroots and remain a committed member of the APC. Those who need to know are well aware of my involvement,” she said.

She, however, expressed concern over the frequent defections and political realignments in the country, describing them as signs of a transactional political culture devoid of ideology.

It’s a shame that our politicians nowadays behave unscrupulously. I think it is a male thing, as our men are in the majority politically, making decisions for us, etc.  Their political affiliations are often based on individual ambition rather than shared vision and this undermines institutional growth, weakens public trust, and creates a transactional rather than values-based political system.

To address this, she called for the re-introduction of civic education in schools, with renewed focus on history, ethics, and public service values. “Our future leaders must learn that politics is about service, not personal gain. A good name is better than gold,” she added.

Reacting to the wave of political realignments in Ondo State and across the country, she described such shifts as “natural in any democracy” — but cautioned that they must be driven by purpose and integrity, not opportunism.

Addressing concerns over the self-serving nature of many Nigerian leaders, the APC stalwart advocated for early value-based leadership training starting from the family level. “We need to intentionally raise a new generation of leaders grounded in ethics. Transparency, accountability, and civic engagement must be institutionalized,” she stated.

She identified poverty as the root cause of vote-buying, noting that a lack of education, healthcare, and economic empowerment makes many citizens vulnerable to exploitation. She called for electoral reforms, stricter enforcement of election laws, and widespread voter education.

On the underrepresentation of women in high political offices in Ondo State, Ajasin-Anifowose rejected the notion that women should aim only for deputy positions, describing it as an “insult.”

 “I am not enamoured with the idea of women playing the second fiddle.  Without a woman, can any of the men in power be in the positions they currently hold? Women have always played pivotal roles in political, social, and economic spheres —it’s time these contributions are reflected in leadership positions. We must foster an environment where competence, not gender, determines opportunity “.

Ajasin-Anifowoshe also echoed the recent statement by her brother regarding the exclusion of their father’s name from the national honours list, describing it as a shame and a disservice to Nigeria’s democratic history.

“Our father paid a huge price for democracy. Recognising his role is not just about honouring an individual but preserving our national memory. National honours must not be politicised,” she said.

As the country faces economic hardship following the removal of fuel subsidy, Ajasin-Anifowoshe urged President Bola Tinubu and state governors to prioritise investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and job creation.

“Subsidy removal was a bold move, but the benefits must be felt by Nigerians. Governance must now be driven by compassion, urgency, and accountability,” she advised.


Culled from her full-page interview published in The Hope Newspaper edition, 28th July 2025.