A widening coalition of community organisations, professional associations, faith groups, and political stakeholders across Surulere have endorsed **Hon. (Barr.) Barakat Odunuga-Bakare** to represent Surulere Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, in what observers describe as a clear momentum shift ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in May 2026 and the 2027 general elections.
The endorsements, secured across a series of grassroots engagements over recent weeks, span the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), market women, auto dealers and technicians, APC non-indigene blocs, the Federal Fire Service community at Nwaka Barracks, the Dipo Jaji Support Group, and the Surulere APC Executive Committee — building a broad-based coalition for the lawyer-aspirant popularly known as **”BBA”** in her bid to succeed incumbent **Hon. Desmond Elliot**.
## CAN, Surulere Chapter Pledges Full Christian Backing
On Friday, May 1, 2026, Odunuga-Bakare and her campaign team paid a strategic visit to the **Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Surulere Chapter**, under the leadership of **SUP. AP. (Dr.) James Akingboye, KDA**. The meeting drew Christian residents and stakeholders from across the constituency.
Addressing the gathering, Odunuga-Bakare humbly presented herself as “their daughter and sister”, seeking the body’s support, trust, and prayers ahead of the primaries and general elections, and reassuring them of her commitment to selfless service and people-oriented leadership.
In a strong show of solidarity, the CAN leadership pledged its full support and affirmed its belief in her candidacy, encouraging members to actively participate in APC membership registration, which it said remains “the key to determining the party’s flag bearer.” The leadership also charged her to remain committed to effective, responsive, and inclusive representation.
Speaking on behalf of the body, the CAN Co-ordinator, Surulere Chapter, said one of the core mandates of the association is to *”promote peace, love, and harmony,”* values he described as critical to the progress of Surulere. He commended **Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila** for his impactful contributions to infrastructure and human capital development in the area, and praised the Executive Chairman of Surulere LGA, **Hon. Suleiman Bamidele Yusuf (SYB)**, for his recent mega empowerment initiative.
In her response, Odunuga-Bakare assured the CAN leadership and members that their concerns would be *”carefully addressed through inclusive, fair, and people-driven governance,”* reaffirming her dedication to unity, development, and grassroots impact.
## Market Women Endorse Candidacy, Pledge Mobilisation
Earlier, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the campaign held a strategic engagement with the **Surulere Market Women Association**. The meeting had in attendance the Executive Chairman of Surulere LGA, Hon. Suleiman Bamidele Yusuf; former Commissioner **Hon. Agboola Dabiri**; former Council Leader and Director-General of the BBA Campaign, **Hon. Adebisi David**; **Mr. Muyideen Hamzat**; and other respected stakeholders.
Discussions centred on economic empowerment, traders’ welfare, and strengthening grassroots economic systems. The market women highlighted critical challenges affecting their businesses, but expressed strong confidence in Odunuga-Bakare’s leadership capacity. In a unified stance, they endorsed her candidacy and pledged mass mobilisation across Surulere markets.
In response, Odunuga-Bakare assured the traders of *”practical, people-focused representation,”* and emphasised her commitment to inclusive policies, economic growth, and sustainable development for traders and the wider community.
## Non-Indigene APC Groups — Ndi-Igbo, Arewa, South-South — Declare Total Support
On Tuesday, April 12, 2026, the campaign engaged the **APC Non-Indigenes Executives** in Surulere LGA — comprising the **Ndi-Igbo, Arewa, and South-South** blocs — led by their respective chairmen: **Mr. Confidence Joel Egondi** (Ndi-Igbo), **Mr. Bana Burka** (Arewa), and **Mr. Ayomidele Jeje Odion** (South-South).
The leaders raised key concerns around inclusiveness, recognition, and marginalisation, while declaring full support for the BBA aspiration and expressing confidence in her leadership and alignment with progressive ideals. They strongly emphasised the **35% women-inclusion** principle, identifying Odunuga-Bakare as the best female aspirant for Surulere Constituency 1.
Women leaders across the three blocs pledged mass mobilisation, reinforcing the call for gender equality and inclusive representation.
Odunuga-Bakare appreciated the long-standing relationship between the groups and the party, and assured them that their concerns would be addressed through the party leadership, reaffirming her commitment to inclusive governance and better representation.
## MAPATA, NATA Throw Weight Behind BBA
On Monday, May 12, 2026, the BBA campaign held a pre-primary engagement with the **Mega Auto Parts and Allied Traders Association (MAPATA)** and the **Nigerian Automobile Technician Artisans (NATA)** at Cole Street, Ojuelegba, Surulere.
Members of both associations warmly received the aspirant and expressed appreciation for her commitment to inclusive leadership and people-oriented representation. During the interactive session, Odunuga-Bakare reiterated her dedication to empowering youth, developing young talent, enhancing the welfare of artisans, and creating opportunities that support local businesses and skilled workers across the constituency.
MAPATA and NATA subsequently promised her their total support during the APC primary and at the general election.
## Federal Fire Service Community Aligns at Nwaka Barracks
The campaign also took the BBA aspiration into the **Federal Fire Service community at Nwaka Barracks**, where the candidate was received amid an impressive turnout and palpable enthusiasm. She was accompanied by **Hon. Agboola Dabiri, Hon. Adebisi David, Hon. Kehinde Ajenifuja, and Hon. Ajibola Ajala** — a delegation that underscored unity within the party structure.
The Ward Chairman, **Mr. Wasiu Ariyo**, set the tone for the engagement, while the Secretary, **Mr. Emmanuel Abikoye**, anchored proceedings and introduced the delegation. Hon. Agboola Dabiri, in his remarks, highlighted his longstanding relationship with the barracks community and expressed confidence in their continued cooperation and support.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Nwaka Barracks, **Mr. Micheal Osiwere**, warmly received the team and reaffirmed the community’s alignment with the leadership and vision of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, pledging steadfast support.
Party members present, alongside wives of officers, openly declared their support and committed to active participation in the upcoming primary.
## Wider APC Family, Dipo Jaji Group, Youth and PWD Communities Rally Round
Beyond these flagship engagements, the BBA campaign has also secured the backing of the **Surulere APC Executive Committee**, the influential **Dipo Jaji Support Group**, **Surulere youth associations**, and the **Persons with Disabilities (PWD)** community — endorsements that further widen her support base across demographic, professional, and political lines.
## Bid to Succeed Desmond Elliot
Odunuga-Bakare is seeking to succeed Hon. Desmond Elliot, the Nollywood actor-turned-lawmaker who has represented Surulere Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly. Her campaign has been positioned around inclusive grassroots engagement, women-led representation, and continuity with the legacies of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and the current LGA leadership under Hon. Suleiman Bamidele Yusuf.
With endorsements stacking up from CAN to the market women, from MAPATA and NATA to the APC non-indigene blocs, from Nwaka Barracks to the Surulere APC excos and the Dipo Jaji Support Group, the BBA campaign appears to have built a formidable coalition heading into the APC primary later this month.
The message from her camp, in the words of the campaign’s own communications, is clear: **”unity across faiths, strength at the grassroots, and steady momentum toward 2027.”**
