Nigeria’s youngest lawmaker, Rukayat Shittu, has secured victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) re-election primary election for the Owode/Onire State Constituency seat in the Kwara State House of Assembly.
Shittu emerged as the APC candidate on Wednesday after defeating her only cleared opponent, Sulyman Ayegun, in the keenly contested primary election.
The victory is being described by political observers as a major development in the political history of the constituency, particularly because of the long-standing power-sharing tradition between the Owode and Onire axes.
For years, the constituency has reportedly operated an informal rotational arrangement that usually limits elected representatives to a single term in office.
However, Shittu’s emergence as the APC candidate for another term signals a possible shift in that political pattern.
Party members and stakeholders who monitored the exercise described the primary election as competitive and highly significant ahead of the next general election cycle.
According to observers, the outcome reflected growing confidence in Shittu’s leadership and performance among APC members within the constituency.
Her victory now positions her as the ruling party’s flag bearer for the upcoming general election, where she is expected to campaign on her legislative record, youth-driven representation and plans for continued development across the constituency.
Political analysts believe her candidacy could reshape the political dynamics of Owode/Onire if she eventually succeeds in retaining the seat during the general election.
If re-elected, Shittu would become the first lawmaker in the history of the constituency to secure a second term, effectively breaking the long-standing tradition of rotational single-term representation.
The development has already sparked discussions within Kwara political circles, with many closely watching how the electorate will respond in the coming months.
Supporters of the lawmaker have also described her victory as a sign of increasing acceptance of youth participation and continuity in governance within the constituency.
As preparations intensify ahead of the general elections, political parties are expected to begin wider mobilisation efforts across Owode/Onire, with attention now shifting toward the next phase of the electoral contest.
What you should know
Rukayat Shittu gained national attention after emerging as one of Nigeria’s youngest lawmakers in the Kwara State House of Assembly.
Her political rise has often been linked to growing youth participation in Nigerian politics. The Owode/Onire constituency has historically maintained an unofficial rotational system between the two major axes, usually limiting representatives to one term.
Her victory in the APC re-election primary therefore represents a major political shift in the area.
If she wins the general election, she would become the first lawmaker from the constituency to secure a second term, potentially changing long-standing political traditions and influencing future power-sharing arrangements within the constituency.
