- Safiu Kehinde
Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has on Wednesday dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rejoin the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State.
Obasanjo was received by the Ogun PDP leaders and supporters at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta.
At the event, the PDP also presented her with its Ogun Central Senatorial District ticket for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the ceremony, Obasanjo pledged allegiance to the party’s constitution, manifesto and code of conduct.
She promised to uphold the ideals of the PDP and serve with integrity, humility and dedication.
“I shall prioritise the welfare of the people above personal and sectional interests,” she said.
Recall that Obasanjo represented Ogun Central in the Senate from 2007 to 2011 on the platform of the PDP.
She returned to Nigeria after some years abroad and joined the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in January.
Speaking on the reason behind her defection to PDP, the former APC governorship aspirant said she left the party due to unfair treatment and disrespect.
Obasanjo stated that she had agreed to abide by any consensus arrangement provided it was conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution and involved all aspirants.
“When I returned to active politics, I chose to join the APC because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu treated me with great respect and dignity.
“He regarded me like his own daughter, gave me my rightful place, and accorded me the recognition I deserved. It was never about money; it was about respect.
“In Yorubaland, prestige and honour are often valued more than money. When you give me prestige and recognition, you earn my loyalty and respect in return.
“Nobody persuaded or begged me to join the APC. It was my people who called me back into politics.
“They told me that Ogun State was no longer the same as the one I left and urged me to return and contribute once again to its development.
“I answered that call because the people still remembered the good work I did as a Senator and as a Commissioner in Ogun State. Their support and confidence inspired my return.
“As part of the consultation process, we toured Ogun West and Ogun East and were preparing to move to Ogun Central before a meeting was suddenly called by the party leadership.
“According to the APC Constitution, for a consensus candidate to emerge, all aspirants are expected to engage in discussions and consultations before any decision is announced. However, when we arrived at the meeting, a consensus candidate had already been announced.
“We were informed that two aspirants from Ogun West had been persuaded to step down in support of the consensus candidate. At that point, I realized that something was wrong,” she said.
The former senator argued that the process could not be regarded as a genuine consensus because aspirants from Ogun Central and Ogun East were excluded from the consultations.
Following her defection, the Ogun PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, formally presented the party flag to her.
Tella said the flag symbolised the party’s authority for her candidature in Ogun Central.
He described Prof Obasanjo as a valued member and expressed confidence in her contribution to the party’s fortunes.
Also speaking, the governorship candidate of the PDP, Ladi Adebutu, commended the doggedness and selfless service of Sen. Obasanjo, saying she remained a true daughter of the soil.
Adebutu, however, assured that when he eventually emerged as the governor of the state, he would ensure that local government autonomy worked in the state.
Obasanjo, in her remark, held she and Adebutu are true indigene of Ogun State, alleging that the APC is flagging Lagos indigene as flagbearer.
“Both Hon. Ladi Adebutu and I come from respected families with a long history of service to the people.
“Our fathers dedicated their lives to empowering others, creating opportunities and supporting countless individuals across Ogun State.” She said.