2027: Iyabo Obasanjo Abandons APC, Citing Ill-Treatment and Lack of Respect from Party Chiefs

Former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, has relinquished her membership in the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing disrespect, rejection, and ill-treatment by the party's leadership in Ogun State, as stated in her resignation letter dated May 31 and addressed to Ogun State Chairman Chief Yemi Sanusi.

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The US-based Associate Professor of Epidemiology, who recently vied for the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 elections, took issue with the consensus arrangement that led to Senator Solomon Adeola's emergence as the party's governorship candidate, deeming the process inconsistent with the APC's guidelines.

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Obasanjo, who served as Senator for Ogun Central from 2007 to 2011, asserted that despite her public and private pledge to abide by any consensus decision, the party leadership failed to consult her before announcing Adeola as the consensus candidate, violating the APC's rules that require agreement among aspirants.

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She further alleged that some of her supporters were violently barred from entering the venue where Adeola's emergence was announced, and although she chose to prioritize party unity and congratulated the candidate, the experience left her feeling unappreciated and rejected within the party.

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According to her, Adeola later met with her and her supporters, where they presented three requests, which she described as non-compulsory, and Adeola promised to respond within a week but allegedly failed to do so more than two months later.

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The former Ogun State Commissioner for Health cited this incident as one of several experiences that made her feel rejected and unappreciated within the party, prompting her decision to resign from the APC, as stated in her letter, which reads in part: "When I started the journey to get the party's nomination for Governor, I came to see you and I said to you and everyone both privately and publicly that I will honor the party's consensus decision once it has been made."

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Obasanjo expressed her conviction that party unity is important, and although she accepted the party's consensus candidate, the flawed process and subsequent treatment by the party leadership led her to conclude that she was not welcome in the party.

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In her resignation letter, she quoted a famous person who said, "when disrespect is the only dish served, then one should leave the table," and thus, she decided to "leave the APC table where I am not welcome," marking her formal exit from the party.

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Despite her grievances, Obasanjo expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Ogun APC Chairman Chief Yemi Sanusi, and Ogun Central Senatorial Chairman Chief Soremi for their warm disposition towards her during her brief stay in the party.

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Obasanjo formally rejoined partisan politics in January this year when she registered as a member of the APC in Ward 11, Ibogun, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, fueling speculation about her possible governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Speculation about her political comeback had intensified late last year with the appearance of campaign-style billboards bearing her image across Abeokuta, featuring the inscription: "In Ogun State, we know ourselves. Sen. (Prof.) Iyabo Obasanjo. Omo wa ni, eniyan wa ni, ara wa ni."