Barrister Barakat Odunuga-Bakare has secured a decisive victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for Surulere Constituency I of the Lagos State House of Assembly, defeating the incumbent lawmaker Desmond Elliot by a wide margin.
The primary election, conducted on Wednesday, witnessed a high turnout of party members across the constituency. Odunuga-Bakare dominated the polls in nearly all wards, signaling a significant shift in the political landscape of Surulere ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Landslide Victory Margin
Official results from the electoral exercise revealed that Odunuga-Bakare garnered 11,385 votes, while Elliot managed only 270 votes across the constituency. The breakdown of the results showed a substantial gap in support, with Odunuga-Bakare leading in almost every ward where voting took place.
In Akinhanmi/Cole Ward, she polled 2,191 votes against Elliot's 82. In Yaba/Ojuelegba Ward, she secured 980 votes compared to his three. At Gbaja Stadium Ward, Odunuga-Bakare recorded 523 votes, while Elliot failed to register a single vote.
Strong Showings Across Key Wards
The results further demonstrated overwhelming support for Odunuga-Bakare in several other areas. At Owolewa Open Field, off Randle Avenue, she garnered 1,956 votes, while Elliot polled 10 votes. In Iponri/Eric Moore Ward, she secured 1,805 votes compared to Elliot's six votes.
However, Elliot's strongest performance came from Shitta/Ogunlana Ward, where he polled 270 votes against Odunuga-Bakare's 169 votes.
Gbajabiamila-Backed Candidate Clinches Ticket
Odunuga-Bakare is widely reported to have the backing of key party stakeholders, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila. His influence was seen as a significant factor in the outcome of the primary.
Her victory effectively ends Elliot's bid to return to the Lagos State House of Assembly under the APC platform. Elliot was first elected to the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015, representing Surulere Constituency I, and has since served multiple terms in the chamber.
Political Shift Ahead of 2027 Elections
The outcome of the primary marks a major shift in the constituency's political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections. The defeat of a long-serving incumbent like Desmond Elliot underscores the dynamic nature of internal party politics and the influence of key endorsements.
In related news, Legit.ng previously reported that Lagos State Speaker Honourable Mojisola Meranda presided over the house as lawmakers gathered to bid her farewell. Desmond Elliot became emotional and was unable to hold back his tears as he was given the floor to speak. The video of the actor's emotional display went viral on social media, sparking reactions from netizens.
