Nigeria’s youngest lawmaker, Rukayat Shittu, has secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to contest again for the Owode/Onire State Constituency seat in the Kwara State House of Assembly.
Shittu emerged victorious during the APC primary election held on Wednesday after defeating her only challenger, Sulyman Ayegun, in a closely watched contest.
Her victory is being seen as a major political development in the constituency, especially because Owode/Onire has long operated an unofficial rotational arrangement between the Owode and Onire zones. The tradition has historically limited most representatives to just one term in office.
Party members and observers described the primary election as highly competitive, with Shittu reportedly enjoying strong backing within the party structure ahead of the next general election.
The young lawmaker’s emergence now positions her as the APC’s official flag bearer for the constituency as campaigns gradually begin ahead of the polls.
If she eventually wins the general election, Shittu would become the first lawmaker in the history of the constituency to secure a second term, potentially ending a long-standing political pattern in the area.
Political stakeholders in Kwara believe the outcome of the APC primary has already increased attention on the constituency, with many now expecting an intense contest as parties begin mobilising support across the region.