Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo Announces Governorship Ambition for Ogun State
In a significant political development, Professor Iyabo Obasanjo, the daughter of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, has formally declared her intention to contest the 2027 Ogun State governorship election. She made this announcement on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), signaling a major return to active politics after approximately fifteen years away from the political arena.
Radio Announcement Marks Political Comeback
The declaration was made during an interactive programme on Eagle7 Sports Radio 103.7FM, hosted by Nigerian football legend Segun Odegbami. This move represents a notable shift for Prof. Obasanjo, who has spent recent years pursuing an academic career in epidemiology in the United States following her departure from Nigerian politics.
Formal APC Membership and Political History
Sources have confirmed that Prof. Obasanjo recently participated in the APC e-registration exercise at Ibogun, Ward 11, in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, formally sealing her membership with the ruling party. Her political background includes representing Ogun Central Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011, as well as serving as Commissioner for Health in Ogun State. She lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Senator Gbenga Obadara of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Motivation Behind Political Return
During the radio interview, the former lawmaker revealed that her decision to return to politics was driven by sustained pressure from supporters. "A group of people who I did not bring together and did not form have been working for about two years now," she explained. "They started talking to me about a year ago, saying, 'We think you are the best candidate. We want you back.'" This encouragement ultimately convinced her to re-enter the political sphere and seek higher responsibility.
Party Selection and Political Strategy
Prof. Obasanjo provided insight into her choice of political platform, explaining that returning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where she last contested, was not an option due to what she described as internal turmoil. While the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was considered, she noted that the party was not yet fully organized. "The people who reached out to me and worked for my return are now in the APC," she stated. "I made wide consultations before deciding, and I think APC is my natural home. I don't have animosity towards anyone in the party, and I feel comfortable with the actors I know there."
Clear Political Ambitions
The former senator made it explicitly clear that she is not interested in returning to the Senate or taking up any appointive position. "I'm not going to be a commissioner, and I'm not going back to the Senate," she declared. "The only thing I'll come back to do is the governorship. And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through." She described her ambition as serious and deliberate, signaling the beginning of what is expected to be a keenly contested race for the Ogun State governorship in 2027.
Political Context and Implications
This development adds an intriguing dimension to the political landscape of Ogun State and Nigerian politics more broadly. As the daughter of a former president with her own political track record, Prof. Obasanjo's entry into the governorship race is likely to generate significant attention and discussion in the lead-up to the 2027 elections. Her combination of political experience and academic background presents a unique profile among potential candidates.
