Former senator and Ogun governorship aspirant, Iyabo Obasanjo, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress, weeks after failing to secure the party’s governorship ticket for the 2027 election in Ogun State.
In a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, she said her decision followed repeated experiences of exclusion and disrespect within the party structure.
Obasanjo, who represented Ogun Central in the Senate between 2007 and 2011 and is the daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, questioned the process that produced Senator Solomon Adeola as the party’s governorship candidate.
She said the exercise did not reflect agreed internal procedures. “The process fell short of the party’s guidelines on consensus candidature,” she stated.
She recalled that she had earlier committed to accepting whatever outcome emerged from the party’s consensus arrangement. “When I started the journey to get the party’s nomination for Governor, I came to see you… that I will honour the party’s consensus decision once it has been made,” she wrote.
However, she alleged that the process was marred by restrictions on her supporters. “Even as violence was perpetrated against my supporters to stop them from entering the venue, I maintained my calmness,” she said.
She also said she was not formally engaged during the final stage of the selection. “With no prior meeting with me as a candidate… a candidate was announced,” she added.
Despite her objections, she said she accepted the outcome for the sake of party unity. “I wrote my letter accepting the party’s consensus candidate that night even with the flawed process,” she said.
Obasanjo further disclosed that Senator Adeola later met with her supporters and requested time to respond to their concerns, but no follow-up was received.
“At that meeting my people made three requests… he said I should give him a week,” she noted, adding that no response came after several weeks.
She said the silence reflected a pattern of disregard. “This is just part of the general treatment I have received from APC of disrespect and rejection,” she stated.
Announcing her resignation, she wrote: “A famous person once said that 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, however, acknowledged some party leaders for their conduct during her time in the party. “I want to thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for receiving me warmly as usual,” she added.
Obasanjo joined the APC in January 2026 after registering at Ward 11, Ibogun, in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
