May 18, 2026
- Lagos State Assembly aspirant Odunuga-Bakare has formally declared her intention to contest the APC ticket for Surulere Constituency 1 ahead of the primary scheduled for Wednesday.
- She revealed that most of her initial rivals have stepped down and pledged support for her, leaving only the incumbent, Hon. Desmond Elliot, in the race.
Speaking during her declaration on Sunday, Odunuga-Bakare described the political build-up to the primary as competitive. She noted that she initially faced five to six other aspirants, most of whom have now withdrawn and pledged allegiance to her campaign.
“Quite a lot of politicking went on between the incumbent and me. We had about five or six people who were contesting as well. But the others stepped down and are supporting me now. They are all here,” she said.
Regarding her remaining rival, the sitting lawmaker Desmond Elliot, she stated: “The only person who didn’t succumb and insists on going to the primary is Honourable Desmond Elliot. I wish him all the best, and I wish myself luck too, and I’m praying that on Wednesday, I’m the one who emerges as the candidate for the Lagos State Assembly, Surulere Constituency 1.”
Addressing APC members in the constituency, Odunuga-Bakare called for a large turnout on election day, assuring supporters that adequate security arrangements would be in place. She urged party members to ignore claims discouraging participation and assured that the election would be conducted fairly.
“My word to the people of Surulere is that they should come out to vote on Wednesday. The election will be free and fair because they have been going about telling people not to come out to vote. I assure the people of Surulere that there will be maximum security,” she said.
Odunuga-Bakare also appealed for party unity after the primary, urging members to support whichever candidate eventually emerges. “I’m also pleading with the people of Surulere that whoever emerges, whether it is me or not, should be supported, and we should work for that person,” she added.
Reflecting on her previous attempt at the seat, she recalled being defeated by the incumbent in the last election but said her current bid has the backing of constituents. “In the last polls, I lost to the incumbent. I’m here today at the wish of the people of Surulere,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Desmond Elliot, in a video shared on his X account on Sunday, alleged intimidation within the constituency and claimed that his security aides had been withdrawn ahead of the primary election.
Source: Daily Post
