Fausat Balogun declares Assembly bid, vows support for widows, youths By Lai Gidado
Fausat Balogun declares Assembly bid, vows support for widows, youths By Lai Gidado
Determined to amplify the voices of the vulnerable, a grassroots politician and community advocate, Alhaja Fausat Balogun, has declared her bid for the Akoko North East State Constituency, promising strong support for women, widows and young people.
Explaining her motivation to seek legislative office, Balogun said her close interaction with constituents while serving as Special Assistant exposed the gaps in meeting their needs, expressing confidence that a higher platform would enable her to provide more meaningful support.
She also voiced optimism about women’s growing participation in politics, noting that the current administration under Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has created an enabling environment for more women to be elected.
Born on January 31, 1966, in Olona Quarters, Okegbe Street, Ikare-Akoko, she comes from a family with strong community roots.
Her father, Alhaji Abu Hammed, was a respected leader in Iyo Meta, while her mother, Alhaja Falilat Abu, a prominent Muslim figure known as Iya Sunna of Iyo Meta, organised weekly religious lectures for women.
Balogun began her education at CAC Primary School in Agege, Lagos State, before moving to Comprehensive High School, Ikare-Akoko. She later earned a National Diploma from the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, and a Higher National Diploma from Osun State Polytechnic, Ire.
Her political journey, which started in 2011, has seen her occupy several leadership positions across party lines.
She first served as Women Leader for Iyo Meta Ward 2 in Ikare-Akoko and later became Women Leader for Akoko North East Local Government under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In 2012, she emerged as State Women Leader of the Mega Party, a position she held for two years.
After joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), she was elected councillor in Akoko North East Local Government and later appointed Special Assistant on Mobilisation to the state governor, a role she held until March 2026.
Her campaign priorities include targeted interventions for widows, women and young people, whom she described as frequently underserved.
She said encounters with widows often leave her wishing she could do more, adding that greater capacity would allow her to expand her support.
Youth empowerment, she stressed, remains central because young people represent the future.
Balogun confirmed that security would feature in her legislative agenda, although she emphasised that social welfare and economic support initiatives would remain her primary focus.
A married mother and long-time businesswoman, she currently runs Ebony Kitchen along Airport Road, Oba Ile, Akure.
She believes her combined experience in public service and private enterprise has prepared her to represent Ikare-Akoko effectively.
As the contest for the House of Assembly seat gathers momentum, her entry into the race adds to the growing number of women seeking elective positions in Ondo State, signalling a gradual shift toward more inclusive political representation.
