Former senator Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo has resigned from the APC, citing rejection, unfair treatment and concerns over Ogun’s governorship process
Former Ogun Central senator and former Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, alleging persistent disrespect, rejection and unfair treatment by the party’s leadership.
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Prof. Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, announced her resignation in a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi. A copy of the letter was made available to journalists on Monday.
The United States-based Associate Professor of Epidemiology criticised the consensus process that produced Solomon Adeola as the party’s governorship candidate, describing the exercise as inconsistent with APC guidelines.
Prof. Obasanjo said she had agreed to support any candidate who emerged through a consensus arrangement.
However, she maintained that she was neither consulted nor involved before Senator Adeola was announced as the consensus choice.
The former senator also alleged that some of her supporters were denied access to the venue where the candidate was unveiled and were subjected to intimidation.
Despite her concerns, Prof. Obasanjo said she accepted the outcome in the interest of party unity and publicly congratulated Senator Adeola on the night of his emergence.
According to her, Senator Adeola later requested a meeting with her supporters. During the meeting, three requests were presented to him.
Prof. Obasanjo stated that Senator Adeola promised to respond within one week. More than two months later, she said no feedback had been received.
The former lawmaker described the situation as part of a troubling pattern of disregard for her contributions to the party.
“I agreed to support whichever candidate emerged through a consensus process, but I was not consulted before Senator Adeola was presented as the consensus candidate,” she said.
“Some of my supporters were denied access to the venue and intimidated. Nevertheless, I accepted the outcome in the interest of party unity and publicly congratulated Senator Adeola that same night.”
She added, “Following his emergence, Senator Adeola requested a meeting with my supporters. During that meeting, three requests were made and he promised to respond within one week. More than two months later, no response has been received.”
Prof. Obasanjo concluded with a powerful remark, saying the treatment she received reflected a consistent pattern of rejection and disrespect.
“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 stated.
Despite her resignation, Prof. Obasanjo expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Chief Sanusi and the Ogun Central Senatorial leadership led by Chief Soremi for the support and courtesy extended to her during her membership of the party.
Prof. Obasanjo returned to active politics earlier this year after registering as an APC member in Ward 11, Ibogun, in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
She previously served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health between 2003 and 2007 before representing Ogun Central in the Senate from 2007 to 2011.
After losing her re-election bid in 2011, Prof. Obasanjo relocated to the United States and remained largely absent from partisan politics until late 2025.
Her political comeback became evident when campaign billboards bearing her image appeared across Abeokuta ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
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Prof. Obasanjo subsequently declared her intention to contest the Ogun governorship under the APC before announcing her departure from the party.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
