The All Progressives Congress has declared a former aide to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, the winner of the Surulere Constituency I House of Assembly primary election in Lagos State.
The election, which was held across six wards in Surulere, saw Bakare win all wards with large margins.
The exercise reportedly featured the incumbent lawmaker, Desmond Elliot, who later withdrew from the race, alleging intimidation across all zones.
Declaring Odunuga-Bakare the winner on Wednesday, the Local Government Area returning officer, Yussuf Kelani, said she polled a total of 11,625 votes, officially making her the party’s candidate for the constituency.
With this result, Bakare becomes the APC flag bearer for the Surulere I House of Assembly seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a post on her X, she expressed deep gratitude to residents following her victory in the party’s primary election.
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“Hello Surulere, I want to sincerely say thank you very much. I am truly overwhelmed and deeply grateful for the love and support you have shown me today,” she said.
She praised residents who left their daily activities to participate in the election, describing their support as a major source of motivation.
“Many of you left your businesses, work, and families early this morning just to come out and vote. Your sacrifice, commitment, and belief in me mean so much, and I do not take them for granted,” she added.
Odunuga-Bakare also expressed appreciation to party members and stakeholders across the constituency.
“I am honoured to have emerged as the flag bearer of our great party. To our leaders, youths, women’s wing, artisans, and every supporter across Surulere, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she said.
She pledged to justify the confidence reposed in her by voters.
“I promise you that I will not disappoint you, and your votes and trust in me will never be wasted,” she said.
Looking ahead to the general election campaign, she called for continued mobilisation in support of the party’s broader ticket.
“Tomorrow, I am hopeful that we will all come out again in our thousands to support the candidacy of Obafemi Hamzat and President Bola Tinubu and continue the journey towards a better future for all,” she said.
