Iyabo Obasanjo set for PDP return – Associate

A daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Iyabo Obasanjo, may return to the Peoples Democratic Party in the coming days.

A close associate to the former commissioner for health and senator representing Ogun Central from 2007 to 2011, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed this on Wednesday.

The source said, “I can confirm that Senator Iyabo Obasanjo has informed me that she is moving to the PDP. The senator said her political focus is firmly on Ogun State and the future direction of its governance.”

Obasanjo had on Monday publicly announced her resignation from the ruling party, citing rejection, maltreatment and lack of respect from the party leadership.

Her resignation was contained in a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the state chairman of the APC, Chief Yemi Sanusi, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent.

The US-based Associate Professor of Epidemiology faulted the consensus arrangement that produced the senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola (Yayi), as the party’s governorship candidate, saying it fell short of the party’s rules and guidelines.

Obasanjo stated that although she had initially agreed to abide by the party’s consensus arrangement, the leadership, contrary to laid-down rules, did not consult her before announcing Adeola as the consensus candidate.

She alleged that her supporters were violently manhandled and denied access to the venue where Adeola was announced as the consensus candidate.

Obasanjo added that despite the developments, she issued a statement on the night of the announcement, congratulating Adeola and pledging support for his governorship ambition.

She further disclosed that Adeola called her the following day to appreciate her gesture and promised to visit her, which he did two weeks later.

The epidemiologist said that during the visit, her supporters made three requests, which she presented to the senator, who said he would respond later.

Prof Obasanjo said the senator promised to get back within one week, but more than two months later, there had been no response.

She said she was left with no choice but to leave the party due to alleged maltreatment and neglect.

She commended President Bola Tinubu for his support, as well as the state party chairman, Chief Sanusi, and the Ogun Central senatorial leadership led by Chief Soremi, during her time in the ruling party.

The daughter of the former president had, in January, signalled her return to active politics when she registered as a member of the APC in Ward 11, Ibogun, in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

Obasanjo relocated to the United States in 2011 after losing her bid for re-election to the Senate.

She had remained outside active politics until late last year when her billboards appeared across Abeokuta, the state capital, with the inscription: “In Ogun State, we know ourselves. Sen (Prof) Iyabo Obasanjo. Omo wa ni, eniyan wa ni, ara wa ni.”