Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has declared her intention to contest the Ogun State governorship election after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former senator, who represented Ogun Central in the National Assembly between 2007 and 2011, confirmed her defection and political ambition on Saturday during an interview on Eagle7 Sports 103.7FM.
Obasanjo’s decision marks her return to frontline politics after a 15-year hiatus, during which she relocated to the United States and pursued an academic career.
Ruling out any interest in serving as a commissioner or returning to the Senate, she said her focus is solely on the governorship race and the Oke-Mosan Government House.
“I’m not going to be commissioner. I’m not going back to the same party, and I’m not returning to the Senate. The only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship,” she said.
She added that her political team has already begun work on the project and is fully committed to seeing it through, describing the ambition as serious and deliberate.
Obasanjo explained that her decision to return to politics was not self-initiated but followed nearly two years of mobilisation by supporters and political associates who encouraged her to contest.
“A group of people who I did not bring together have been working for about two years now, and they started approaching me about a year ago, saying they believe I am the best candidate,” she said.
Her defection to the APC was formalised through the party’s e-registration exercise at Ibogun Ward 11 in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State. The registration was confirmed by her ally and former chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Biodun Ajayi.
Reacting to her exit, the Ogun State chapter of the PDP wished her well in her new political party.
Political observers believe Obasanjo’s entry into the race could significantly alter the dynamics of the 2027 governorship contest in Ogun State, given her name recognition, political background, and her father’s enduring influence in Nigerian politics.
