By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
LAGOS — The political tide in Surulere Constituency I appears to be shifting, as key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have rallied behind Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest that could end Desmond Elliot’s 12-year run in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Odunuga-Bakare, a former Special Adviser on Housing to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, concluded a strategic tour of all nine wards in Surulere I over the weekend, receiving public endorsements from party leaders, grassroots mobilisers, and women groups across the constituency.
The tour, which covered Wards E, E1, F1, F2, F3, G, G1, G2 and G3, culminated in a series of coordinated declarations of support, alongside financial donations of N1 million to party members in each ward — a move insiders describe as both symbolic and strategic in consolidating grassroots loyalty ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Merit Newspaper reports that a prominent APC figure Khadijat Kareem, who led the endorsements, described Odunuga-Bakare as a candidate with the experience and political depth required to reposition the constituency.
“When we talk about competence and capacity, she stands tall,” Kareem said. “She has served effectively in both the legislative and executive arms and understands governance. Surulere needs that kind of representation at this time.”
Echoing the sentiment, party leader Sulaiman Yusuf acknowledged Elliot’s contributions but insisted that the constituency must embrace change after three terms.
“Honourable Elliot has done his best, but there is a time for everything,” Yusuf said. “This is the moment to give another capable hand the opportunity. Barakat has paid her dues, and she has the energy and vision we need going forward.”
Multiple party sources also point to the decisive influence of Femi Gbajabiamila, whose political structure has long shaped Surulere’s electoral outcomes. Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives who represented the constituency for two decades, is reportedly backing Odunuga-Bakare — a development widely interpreted as a turning point in the race.
Political observers note that Gbajabiamila’s endorsement carries significant weight, having been instrumental in Elliot’s emergence in 2015 and subsequent re-elections in 2019 and 2023.
Addressing supporters, Odunuga-Bakare pledged to build on existing gains while expanding development opportunities in the constituency.
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“I am deeply grateful for the overwhelming support,” she said. “Surulere deserves more, and I am committed to delivering effective representation and bringing greater dividends of democracy to our people.”
While Elliot’s camp has yet to issue an official response, the growing wave of endorsements for Odunuga-Bakare signals a broader realignment within the APC in Surulere. Analysts say the combination of grassroots mobilisation, strategic backing, and shifting party sentiment could redefine the constituency’s political landscape ahead of the primaries.
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For now, what began as quiet political manoeuvring has evolved into an open contest — one that may mark the end of an era and the emergence of a new power bloc within Surulere politics.
