There are indications of a looming political contest in Surulere I Constituency as stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have endorsed Mrs Barakat Odunuga-Bakare for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat ahead of the 2027 elections.

The endorsement followed a week-long consultation tour by Odunuga-Bakare across several wards in the constituency, including E, E1, F1, F2, F3, G, G1, G2 and G3, culminating in meetings with party leaders and stakeholders.

Odunuga-Bakare, a former Special Adviser on Housing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is seeking the APC ticket and is expected to contest the party’s primary against Nollywood actor and incumbent lawmaker, Desmond Elliot, who is aiming for a fourth term.

Speaking during the consultations, the Personal Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Constituency Affairs, Mrs Khadijat Kareem, described Odunuga-Bakare as competent and experienced, noting her previous roles as Leader of the Surulere Local Government Legislative Council and Special Adviser to the governor.

Kareem urged party leaders, women, and youths to support her aspiration, expressing confidence in her ability to deliver effective representation and attract development to the constituency.

Also speaking, Surulere Local Government Chairman, Sulaiman Yusuf, commended Elliot for his service but said it was time for a new candidate to emerge. He noted that Odunuga-Bakare had previously stepped down from contesting and deserved support at this time.

Yusuf further disclosed that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, supports her aspiration and urged party members to align with her candidacy.

Other stakeholders, including the Leader of the Surulere Local Government Legislative Council, Abdul Hakeem Abdul Rahman, and various ward chairmen, also endorsed her bid, citing her contributions to grassroots development in Surulere.

In her response, Odunuga-Bakare expressed appreciation for the support and pledged to deliver quality representation if elected. She called for unity among party members ahead of the APC primaries scheduled for March 20, stressing the need to strengthen the party.

She also donated ₦1 million to party members in each ward visited during her consultation tour.