Prominent leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Surulere Constituency I have endorsed Barakat Odunuga-Bakare for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat.
Odunuga-Bakare is a former Special Adviser on Housing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and previously served as the Leader of the Surulere Local Government Legislative Counci
The endorsement came during a week-long consultation tour by Odunuga-Bakare and her team across political wards in the constituency.
The tour covered Wards E, E1, F1, F2, F3, G, G1, G2 and G3, as well as meetings with other party stakeholders, ending on Saturday.
Odunuga-Bakare, who recently resigned as Special Adviser on Housing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is seeking the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the constituency.
She is expected to contest the party’s primary against Nollywood actor and incumbent lawmaker, Desmond Elliot, who is seeking a fourth term in office.
Speaking during the meetings on Saturday, Mrs Khadijat Kareem, the Personal Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Constituency Affairs, described Odunuga-Bakare as competent and experienced, saying she has the capacity to deliver effective representation.
According to Kareem, the aspirant distinguished herself as Leader of the Surulere Local Government Legislative Council and later as Special Adviser to the governor.
She urged party leaders, members, women and youths in the constituency to support her aspiration, expressing confidence that the constituency would benefit from her emergence.
Kareem added that the impact of President Tinubu’s administration was visible across Surulere and stressed the need for a representative who would attract more development to the area.
She said, “When we talk about experience and competence, Barakat has got both. She served well as Leader of the Legislative Council and Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu, and she will deliver as our representative.
“She is a go-getter, a hard-working person. She is a youth who understands the demands of governance, and she will do well for us.”
Also speaking, Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Mr Sulaiman Yusuf, commended incumbent lawmaker Desmond Elliot for his service but said it was time for another candidate to emerge.
He noted that Odunuga-Bakare had twice stepped down from her ambition in the past following appeals by party leaders and deserved support this time.
Yusuf described her as loyal, capable and performance-driven, adding that she has the qualities needed to represent the constituency effectively.
“Let us be sincere with ourselves, this young woman deserves to be supported for the seat this time around. The other time, she stepped down, but this is her time.
“Mr Desmond Elliot has done his best for the constituency, but there is time for everything. He has served for three terms and it is time to give another person the opportunity.
“Honourable Barakat is young and competent and she is somebody we can rely on for performance. I declare my support for her and I want everyone else to support her,” he said.
He further stated that Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, supported her aspiration and urged his supporters to align with the project.
Leader of the Surulere Local Government Legislative Council, Mr Abdul Hakeem Abdul Rahman, also praised Odunuga-Bakare’s contributions to the constituency and called for support for her candidacy.
Other speakers, including ward chairmen, similarly endorsed her bid, citing her role in the development of Surulere.
Responding, Odunuga-Bakare thanked party leaders and members for their confidence in her.
She said she remains committed to the growth and development of Surulere and promised quality representation if elected.
The aspirant urged party members to remain united ahead of the APC primaries scheduled for March 20, saying the focus should be on strengthening the party and advancing the interests of Surulere.
She also pledged not to disappoint supporters if given the mandate.
“I thank you all for this show of overwhelming love for me and support for my bid. God bless you all.
“As you all know, I am passionate about the development of Surulere. I want to represent you at the Assembly to further bring home dividends of democracy. I value your support and love and I urge you to keep supporting me.
“We are having the Assembly primaries on March 20. I am counting on your support to emerge as our party’s flag bearer.
“Please, support my aspiration and I promise you that I will raise the bar and deliver.
“This is not the time to fight; this is a time to unite for the good of APC and Surulere. I am for Surulere and will not disappoint,” she said.
Odunuga-Bakare donated N1 million to party members in each of the wards visited during the consultation tour.
