*Attack Against Rukayat Shittu Turns Into Celebration of Her Success*
_Lawmaker’s post on AbdulRazaq’s senatorial bid triggers wave of solidarity_
An attempt by opposition leaning social media commentators to attack Hon. Rukayat Shittu has reportedly backfired, as a wave of public endorsements and testimonials has transformed the controversy into a broader celebration of the lawmaker’s record.
The controversy began after Shittu made a social media post expressing confidence in Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s prospects in the Kwara Central senatorial contest, following Senator Saliu Mustapha’s defection from the APC to the PDP and his emergence as the opposition party’s candidate.
The post subsequently attracted a stream of critical comments from individuals described by Shittu’s supporters as opposition aligned social media actors.
Rather than silencing the lawmaker, however, the criticism triggered an immediate counter reaction.
Supporters, constituents and other members of the public began responding with testimonials about Shittu’s legislative activities, constituency interventions and accessibility.
What initially appeared to be an attempt to overwhelm the lawmaker’s post with negative comments quickly became an opportunity for her supporters to highlight what they described as her achievements in office.
Commenters cited her legislative initiatives, community interventions, youth and women empowerment programmes, education support, water projects and renewable energy interventions.
One supporter, Abdullateef Olalekan Sikiru, described Shittu as “one of the best things” to have happened to Owode/Onire Constituency, Asa Local Government and Kwara State.
“We will not trade our gold for iron,” he declared, describing the lawmaker as a “shining star” whose record, courage and commitment to her constituents would continue to speak for her.
Another supporter, Muhammad Rabiu, urged critics to acknowledge areas where Shittu had performed while also identifying areas requiring improvement.
He argued that no representative could satisfy every demand and that constructive criticism was preferable to outright condemnation.
The renewed engagement gradually shifted the conversation away from AbdulRazaq’s senatorial contest and towards Shittu’s own performance.
Supporters began citing legislative initiatives associated with her tenure, including the Kwara State Electric Power Sector Bill, 2025, Unexplained Wealth Bill, 2025, and Religious Preaching and Religious Entrepreneurship Regulation Bill, 2025.
They also referenced motions and matters of public importance concerning issues such as ritual killings, illicit drug abuse and emergency medical response.
At the constituency level, supporters highlighted interventions involving solar-powered streetlights, borehole rehabilitation, educational support, youth empowerment, women and girl child programmes, as well as assistance to traders, artisans and farmers.
The response consequently evolved into a broader defence of Shittu’s political standing.
By the time the exchange gathered momentum, her supporters had filled the conversation with endorsements and testimonials, with some describing the development as an unintended publicity boost for the lawmaker.
Supporters argued that the episode demonstrated the difference between social media activity and electoral strength, stressing that Shittu’s political future would ultimately be determined by voters.
“The people who gave her the mandate are watching, and when the time comes, they will have the final say,” one supporter said.
The development has since become another talking point ahead of the next election, with supporters increasingly promoting the message, “One good term deserves another.”
For Shittu’s supporters, what began as an attempt to attack the lawmaker has therefore evolved into something entirely different, a public conversation about her performance, political relevance and prospects for continuity.
The attack generated the noise. Her supporters supplied the testimony. Her record became the story.
