Rauf Age-Sulaiman, a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC), is the lawmaker representing Amuwo Odofin Constituency 2 in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
He was first elected as a member of the House in 2019.
Although he lost his re-election bid in 2023 to the Labour party, he regained his seat through the courts.
Mr. Age-Sulaiman survived an assassination attempt in 2021.
Early life and education
Mr. Age-Sulaiman was born on February 27, 1972. He completed his primary education at Salvation Army Primary School, and his secondary school education at Unity Grammar School, both located in Ikaare Island, Lagos.
In 1992, he joined the Social Democratic Party Ward (SDP) as a secretary.
In 1996, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Lagos State University.
In 2023, Mr. Age-Sulaiman earned a masters degree in international relations from the University of Abuja. He also received a masters degree from the Institute of Legislative Studies, Abuja
As of 2023, he was studying for his PhD degree at the University of Abuja. He has both a professional certificate and diploma in public relations from the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
Political career
In November 2018, Mr. Age-Sulaiman raised an alarm over attempts to substitute his candidacy for the Amuwo Odofin 2 constituency ahead of the 2019 general elections. He won the APC primaries on October 5, 2018, for the Amuwo Odofin II constituency and was declared the winner, receiving the result sheet from the Primary Election Committee.
He wrote a letter to APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, cautioning the party about attempts to replace his name with that of Hon. Akeem Bello. Mr. Age-Sulaiman reiterated that he never authored or signed any letter withdrawing his candidacy.
In October 2019, The Appeal Court in Lagos dismissed a petition against the victory of Mr. Age-Sulaiman, filed by Hon. Bello, a fellow aspirant during the primaries and former house member who had represented Amuwo Odofin constituency ll.
In July 2021, Mr. Age-Sulaiman narrowly escaped death after bullets were fired at a re-election campaign event for the Amuwo-Odofin council chairman, Ramota Akinola Hassan.
“I heard some people making noise while the campaign was on and I called for calm, but I didn’t know that there were some elements who came with another intention,” Mr. Age-Sulaiman said of the incident.
“We were about going out when somebody told me not to go out and two persons stood beside me and right there I heard a gunshot sound and the next person beside me shouted my leg with blood-stains.”
In response to the incident, the House passed a resolution urging Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to adequately equip security agencies in the state.
Mr. Age Sulaiman lost his re-election bid to the House in 2023, defeated by the Labour Party’s Olukayode Doherty.
However, the Court of Appeal sacked Doherty in November 2023.
In December 2023, Mr. Age-Sulaiman took the oath of office, bringing the number of APC members in the house to 39 out of 40 seats.
Legislative work
In 2019, as a newly elected member of the House, Mr. Age-Sulaiman pledged to take Amuwo Odofin Constituency 2 to greater heights.
“I have started laying out plans to make sure Oriade Local Council Development Area soars high,” he said. “We were once known to be the best and I can assure everyone that we shall regain our past glory.”
During his first term, Mr. Age-Sulaiman was a member of the House committee on local government and community affairs. He was also appointed as the chairman of the reconstituted House committees on procurement.
The lawmaker expressed his sympathy to the youths and people who were shot and wounded by security operatives at Lekki toll gate during the EndSARS protests on October 20, 2020. While referencing the constituency he represents, he thanked the people for their understanding and urged them to remain calm, assuring them that he will continue to advocate for their rights and privileges.
During his second term, Mr. Age-Sulaiman was appointed as the chairman of the House committee on special duties, intergovernmental relations, and the central business district.
In April 2024, Mr. Age-Sulaiman embarked on a tour of infrastructure projects in Amuwo-Odofin undertaken by the council Chairman,Engr. Dr. Valentine Buraimoh. “The purpose of my visit was to simply come to encourage the council chairman and his team,” he said. “I have been to five project sites and I am told that there are still more projects spread across the local government.”
“This is why I am ready to support the performing chairman in every capacity I can to continue to bring dividends of democracy to the people.”
While speaking at the launch of an initiative to encourage youth enrollment in the Nigerian armed forces and curb human trafficking, the lawmaker encouraged youths to embrace military and police jobs.
He also acknowledged the challenges faced by applicants during the recruitment process and assured that the ministry will develop effective solutions to address these issues.