Iyabo Obasanjo Joins APC, Declares for Ogun Governorship 2027
Iyabo Obasanjo Ogun governorship ambitions are now official. In a move that has sent ripples across the Nigerian political landscape, former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared her intention to contest the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.
The announcement took place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the APC state secretariat in Abeokuta, where she was warmly received by party leaders and thousands of supporters. Iyabo Obasanjo, who represented Ogun Central in the Senate from 2007 to 2011, stated that her decision to join the ruling party stems from a commitment to deliver “transformational leadership” and build on the developmental achievements already underway in the Gateway State.
Her entry into the race is expected to reshape APC dynamics in Ogun State, introducing a candidate with strong name recognition, political experience, and a credible track record. Her return to active politics follows years abroad pursuing academic and professional interests, marking a clear departure from the traditional “Obasanjo political lineage” through a pragmatic alignment with the APC.
During her address, Iyabo Obasanjo outlined her “Gateway Prosperity” agenda, centered on three key pillars:
- Healthcare Infrastructure: Overhauling primary healthcare centers across all 20 Local Government Areas, leveraging her expertise as a veterinary doctor and epidemiologist.
- Industrial Hub Expansion: Creating Special Economic Zones to attract investment and capitalize on Ogun State’s strategic location near Lagos.
- Youth Empowerment and Technology: Integrating digital skills training into vocational education to equip young people for the global gig economy.
Her candidacy immediately alters the political landscape. While the APC in Ogun has traditionally enjoyed internal cohesion, Iyabo Obasanjo’s entry introduces competition for the governorship ticket, particularly in the central senatorial district. Analysts predict she will attract support from professionals, women’s groups, and voters seeking technocratic leadership, though she will still need to navigate party primaries alongside other heavyweight contenders.
Addressing the crowd, Iyabo emphasized her independent credentials: “I am here as Iyabo, a daughter of Ogun State who has served and is ready to serve again.” Her supporters point to her record as Health Commissioner under the Gbenga Daniel administration as proof of her executive capacity.
Critics may revisit her past legislative record and her exit from the Senate in 2011, but her defection is widely seen as a strategic win for the APC, weakening opposition influence in Ogun Central.
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As Iyabo Obasanjo declares for Ogun governorship 2027, the political temperature in the South-West has risen sharply. With her academic background, legislative experience, and the influence of her surname, she has emerged as a frontrunner. The coming months will show how she reconciles her father’s often vocal criticisms of the APC with her own ambitions to lead Ogun State under the party’s broom symbol.