Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, has officially rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just days after resigning from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a dramatic political shift in Ogun State. Her return to the PDP comes barely a week after she left the APC following her loss of the party’s governorship ticket, a move she described as a result of being disrespected and maltreated by party leadership in the state. The 54-year-old former Ogun State Commissioner for Health and renowned epidemiologist made a surprise appearance at the PDP’s secretariat in Abeokuta on Monday, where she was welcomed with cheers and chants from party members and supporters.
Her return to the PDP is seen as a significant boost for the party’s campaign in Ogun State, especially ahead of the upcoming elections. Iyabo had previously left the PDP in January to join the APC, citing what she called betrayal by the party, which she claimed only reached out to her when they needed her support during elections. “I think they’re idiots, if you can put it that way,” she said, emphasizing that political parties must engage prominent members consistently to win elections. Her defection to the APC had marked her return to active politics after a 15-year absence, during which she focused on public health and epidemiology.
At the PDP event, Senator Obasanjo addressed the crowd, assuring voters that the era of stealing the mandate of the party’s governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, was over. She expressed confidence in the party’s ability to deliver fair and transparent elections and pledged her full support to its candidates. She also told supporters to expect her official re-entry into the PDP in the coming days, signaling a formal recommitment to the party’s platform and goals.
The PDP has since announced Senator Iyabo Obasanjo as its candidate for the Ogun Central Senatorial District in the upcoming elections, a move that is expected to energize the party’s base and attract new voters. Her presence at the unveiling of the party’s deputy governorship candidate, Lateefah Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, further solidified her renewed alignment with the PDP. The party secretariat erupted in excitement upon her arrival, with members chanting solidarity songs and gathering around her as she acknowledged the crowd.
With her political experience, public profile, and strong ties to Ogun State, Iyabo Obasanjo’s return to the PDP is likely to influence voter dynamics in the state. Her journey from APC to PDP underscores the shifting political landscape in Nigeria, where high-profile figures continue to play pivotal roles in shaping electoral outcomes. As the election season intensifies, her re-emergence as a key PDP figure could prove decisive in the party’s bid to reclaim power in Ogun State.
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