Former Ogun Central senator and daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Iyabo Obasanjo, don resign her membership from All Progressives Congress, APC. She say na because of sustained marginalisation, rejection and unfair treatment by party leadership for Ogun State.
Obasanjo, wey recently seek APC governorship ticket for Ogun State, announce her decision for resignation letter wey date May 31 and address to state party chairman, Yemi Sanusi. The US-based epidemiologist and former lawmaker criticise the process wey produce Solomon Adeola, wey dem dey call Yayi, as party’s governorship candidate. She argue say the consensus arrangement no align with APC’s established guidelines.
According to her, while she agree to support any candidate wey emerge through consensus process, dem neither consult nor involve am before dem announce Adeola as party’s preferred candidate. She further allege say some of her supporters dem deny access to venue where dem unveil the candidate and dem subject to intimidation during the exercise.
Despite her concerns, Obasanjo say she accept the outcome for interest of party unity and immediately congratulate Adeola after him emerge as candidate. She disclose say the senator later request meeting with her supporters, where dem present three demands. However, she claim say despite promise to respond within one week, no feedback don reach her after more than two months.
The former senator say the development reinforce wetin she describe as recurring pattern of disregard and lack of appreciation for her role within the party. “I commit myself to supporting any candidate wey emerge through consensus arrangement, but dem no consult me before dem announce Senator Adeola. Some of my supporters dem deny entry to the venue and dem intimidate. Nevertheless, I accept the decision for interest of unity and publicly congratulate am that same night,” she state.
She add say although Adeola later meet with her supporters and promise to address issues dem raise during the meeting, no response don come. According to Obasanjo, the treatment wey she receive after the primary reflect persistent rejection and disrespect, wey ultimately influence her decision to leave the party.
She, however, express appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the Ogun APC leadership and party stakeholders for the support and courtesies dem extend to am during her time for APC. Obasanjo return to partisan politics earlier this year when she register as APC member for Ward 11, Ibogun, for Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
She previously serve as Ogun State Commissioner for Health between 2003 and 2007 before representing Ogun Central Senatorial District for Senate from 2007 to 2011. Following her unsuccessful re-election bid for 2011, she relocate to United States and largely stay away from active politics until late 2025, when campaign billboards wey carry her image appear across parts of Ogun State, signalling possible return ahead of 2027 governorship race. She subsequently declare her ambition to contest Ogun governorship election on platform of APC before eventually announce her resignation from the party.
