Former Ogun Central Senator and daughter of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing what she described as persistent rejection, disrespect and unfair treatment by the party leadership in Ogun State.
The former lawmaker announced her resignation in a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi.
Iyabo Obasanjo, who recently sought the APC governorship ticket for the 2027 election in Ogun State, expressed dissatisfaction with the process that produced Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the party’s governorship candidate.
She argued that while she had agreed to support any candidate that emerged through a consensus arrangement, she was neither consulted nor involved before Adeola was unveiled as the consensus choice.
According to her, some of her supporters were allegedly denied access to the venue where the candidate was announced and were subjected to intimidation during the process.
Despite her concerns, Obasanjo said she accepted the outcome in the interest of party unity and publicly congratulated Adeola on the night he emerged as the candidate.
She revealed that the senator later requested a meeting with her supporters, during which three demands were presented. However, she claimed that although Adeola promised to respond within one week, more than two months had passed without any feedback.
“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 stated.
“Some of my supporters were denied access to the venue and intimidated. Nevertheless, I accepted the outcome in the interest of party unity and publicly congratulated Senator Adeola that same night.”
Obasanjo said the lack of response to concerns raised by her supporters reflected a broader pattern of disregard for her role and contributions within the party.
“The treatment I have received since then has reflected 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 added.
Despite her decision to leave the ruling party, the former senator expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Ogun APC Chairman Yemi Sanusi, and party leaders in Ogun Central for the support and courtesy they showed her during her membership.
Iyabo Obasanjo returned to frontline politics earlier this year after registering as an APC member in Ward 11, Ibogun, Ifo Local Government Area. Her return followed years away from active partisan politics after serving as Ogun State Commissioner for Health and later representing Ogun Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly between 2007 and 2011.
Her resignation is expected to generate fresh political discussions in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
