A former senator representing Ogun Central, Iyabo Obasanjo, has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party barely a week after resigning from the All Progressives Congress.
Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, rejoined the PDP on Monday during the unveiling of the party’s deputy governorship candidate in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The former health commissioner, who recently returned from the United States, was received with cheers by party members at the PDP secretariat.
Speaking shortly after the presentation of former Group Business Editor of The PUNCH, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, as the party’s deputy governorship candidate, Obasanjo expressed confidence in the chances of the PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, in the 2027 election.
She said she would reserve detailed comments until her formal declaration ceremony but hinted that she had grievances to air.
“I actually have a lot to say, there are many people that we shall call out, but I won’t say anything now until you organise that official welcome back into the party.
“However, I want to greet our deputy governorship candidate. I am convinced that you will be our next deputy governor. I want to thank our incoming governor from 2027, Hon Oladipupo Adebutu, because he has really tried to become the governor of the state for the first, second and third time.
“But this time, God is saying that he will be our next governor now that I am joining the party,” she stated.
Her return comes days after she resigned from the APC, citing rejection, maltreatment and a lack of respect from the party leadership.
In a resignation letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun APC chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, Obasanjo faulted the process that produced Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the party’s consensus governorship candidate.
She alleged that the party leadership failed to consult her before announcing Adeola as its preferred candidate despite assurances that stakeholders would be carried along in the consensus process.
Obasanjo also claimed that some of her supporters were prevented from accessing the venue where the consensus candidate was announced.
According to her, she nevertheless accepted the party’s decision and publicly congratulated Adeola, pledging support for his governorship ambition.
She further disclosed that Adeola later visited her and promised to consider requests made by her supporters but failed to respond after the meeting.
The former lawmaker said the developments reinforced her feeling of exclusion within the ruling party and informed her decision to resign.
Obasanjo had formally joined the APC in January after registering as a member in Ward 11, Ibogun, in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
She served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health between 2003 and 2007 and represented Ogun Central in the Senate from 2007 to 2011 before relocating to the United States after losing her re-election bid.
