Former Ogun Central Senator and daughter of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress, accusing the Ogun APC leadership of “persistent disrespect, exclusion and unfair treatment”.
She announced the decision in a letter dated May 31 to Ogun APC Chairman Chief Yemi Sanusi. The letter was made public Monday.
–Why she left: The consensus row–
Obasanjo, a U.S.-based Associate Professor of Epidemiology, recently sought the APC governorship ticket for Ogun ahead of 2027. Her resignation stems from how the party picked Senator Solomon Adeola, aka “Yayi”, as consensus candidate.
“I agreed to support whichever candidate emerged through a consensus process, but I was not consulted before Senator Adeola was presented as the consensus candidate,” she wrote.
She alleged her supporters were barred from the unveiling venue and intimidated. Still, she said she accepted the result for party unity and congratulated Adeola publicly that night.
The breaking point came after Adeola met her supporters and took 3 requests.
He promised feedback within a week. “More than two months later,” Obasanjo said, no response came. She called it part of a “consistent pattern of rejection and disrespect”.
“When disrespect is the only dish served, then one should leave the table. I am therefore leaving the APC table where I am not welcomed,” she stated.
–Her APC journey–
Obasanjo returned to partisan politics earlier this year after registering in Ward 11, Ibogun, Ifo LGA. Campaign billboards with her image appeared across Abeokuta in late 2025 ahead of 2027. She then declared for the Ogun governorship under APC before quitting.
This is not her first stint in Ogun politics. She served as Commissioner for Health 2003-2007 and represented Ogun Central in the Senate 2007-2011.
After losing her re-election bid in 2011, she moved to the U.S. and stayed out of active politics until her 2025 comeback.
–Parting note: Thanks, but goodbye–
Despite the exit, Obasanjo thanked President Bola Tinubu, Chairman Sanusi, and Ogun Central leadership led by Chief Soremi for “support and courtesy” during her time in the party.
–What this means for Ogun APC–
Obasanjo’s exit removes a high-profile name from the 2027 governorship race and highlights tension within Ogun APC over candidate selection.
The “consensus without consultation” complaint will likely fuel debate on internal democracy as parties prepare for primaries.
Her father, ex-President Obasanjo, has had a turbulent relationship with APC over the years. Iyabo’s resignation adds another twist to the Obasanjo political brand in Ogun ahead of 2027.
