In a significant political shift, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State officially welcomed former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo into its fold during a well-attended event at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta on Wednesday. This move comes shortly after her departure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Iyabo Obasanjo, who is the daughter of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, previously represented Ogun Central in the Senate from 2007 to 2011. Following her unsuccessful re-election bid in 2011, she relocated to the United States to focus on an academic career.
After a 15-year hiatus from active politics, she returned in January 2026 by joining the APC and expressed her intention to run for the governorship position. However, on May 31, she resigned from the APC, citing what she described as a lack of respect, betrayal, and unjust treatment by the party’s leadership after losing the governorship primary.
At the reception rally, Dr. Abayomi Tella, the Ogun State PDP Chairman, formally presented the party flag to Obasanjo, signifying her official candidacy for the Ogun Central senatorial district. Tella stated, “On behalf of our National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, the National Working Committee, and the PDP Ogun Central, I present this flag to our esteemed sister, Professor Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, as the party’s authority for her senatorial candidacy.”
While taking the party’s oath, Obasanjo pledged unwavering loyalty to the PDP’s constitution, manifesto, and code of conduct. She declared, “I commit to the PDP’s ideals. I will serve the people of Ogun State and Nigeria with integrity, humility, and dedication, prioritizing their welfare above personal or sectional interests.” She further asserted that she remains the strongest contender for the Ogun Central seat, confident in her track record as a former senator.
During the event, Adebutu, another PDP stalwart, promised that if elected governor, his administration would ensure local government autonomy and maintain transparency in managing public funds. He assured, “I, Oladipupo Adebutu, will not steal your money. Local governments will receive their funds promptly, and all our dealings will be transparent.”