Nigeria’s youngest lawmaker, Hon. Rukayat Shittu, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Owode/Onire State Constituency seat in the Kwara State House of Assembly after winning the party’s re-election primary.
Shittu secured victory after defeating her only cleared challenger, Sulyman Ayegun, in a keenly contested primary election described by party officials and observers as a significant political development in the constituency.
Her emergence is considered remarkable given the long-standing political arrangement in Owode/Onire Constituency, where power rotation between the Owode and Onire axes has traditionally limited lawmakers to a single term in office.
Political stakeholders noted that Shittu’s victory reflects growing confidence in her performance and leadership among party members and grassroots supporters.
The young legislator, who gained national attention after emerging as Nigeria’s youngest elected lawmaker, is now set to fly the APC flag in the forthcoming general election.
If re-elected, Shittu would become the first lawmaker in the history of the constituency to secure a second term, effectively breaking a longstanding political pattern in the area.
Party supporters described the outcome as a major milestone for youth participation and women’s representation in politics, particularly within Kwara State.
Observers also believe the primary result has set the stage for what could become one of the most closely watched legislative contests in the state ahead of the next election cycle.
With political parties already intensifying mobilization efforts across the constituency, attention is expected to shift toward the general election campaign, where Shittu is likely to campaign on her legislative record, youth-focused initiatives and vision for continued representation of the constituency.
