‘It’s my natural home’ – Iyabo Obasanjo justifies joining APC ahead of 2027 election

Iyabo Obasanjo said she considered joining the ADC, but noted that the coalition party does not have its “ducks in a row yet; they’re still working on it”.

By Kehinde Okeowo      

Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, the former Ogun Central Senator and daughter of former Nigerian President, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd), has confirmed her membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

She made this known on Saturday during an interview with Nigerian football legend Segun Odegbami on his radio station, 103.7FM Eagle7 Sports.

Speaking during the chat, Iyabo Obasanjo—who has pitched her tent with the APC after an absence of about 15 years from politics—described the ruling party as her “natural home”.

While appearing on the programme, the former Ogun State Commissioner for Health confirmed that she is returning to politics following “pressure” from her supporters.

“Like I told you, a group of people whom I did not bring together—I did not form them into a group—have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she said.

The former senator lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Senator Gbenga Obadara of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

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She subsequently returned to the United States to pursue her academic career, rising to the rank of professor.

Explaining why she could not return to the PDP, under which she last contested an election, Obasanjo said the major opposition party is currently embroiled in “all kinds of turmoil”.

She added that she also considered joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) but noted that the coalition party does not have its “ducks in a row yet; they’re still working on it.”

Before choosing to join the APC, the former senator said she undertook wide consultations, stressing that everyone who contacted her and helped her return to politics is now in the APC.

“So, I think the APC is my natural home. I don’t have any animosity towards any individual or any group within the APC. I feel comfortable with all the actors I know within the APC.

“I feel more comfortable, actually, than with some of the actors I know in the PDP, and some of them are now in the ADC. So, I think it’s my natural home. I feel quite confident and happy to have made that decision. I have an absolute 100% feeling it’s my natural home,” she said.

Iyabo Obasanjo, who is widely believed to be eyeing the Ogun State governorship, recently participated in the ongoing APC e-registration exercise at Ibogun, Ward 11, in the Ifo Local Government Area of the state, effectively sealing her membership of the ruling party.