Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello has declared that her father, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, will vote for her if she secures the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 election in Ogun State.
Iyabo, who recently defected to the ruling APC, spoke with journalists on Monday after formally registering at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
She dismissed suggestions that her decision to join the APC was influenced by her father, insisting that it was a personal and well-considered move.
“My father is not part of my coming here today. It is my personal decision. He is just another citizen that will vote for me,” she said.
She added that although her father is not aligned with the APC, he remains a voter in Ogun State and would support her candidacy if she emerges as the party’s flag bearer.
“He has not presented me with any platform. I made an informed decision to choose APC, and the reason is personal to me. The people who reached out to me when I left active politics are now mostly in APC. That is why I am here,” she explained.
Iyabo expressed confidence in her chances of clinching the APC ticket, saying the current political climate favours the emergence of female leaders.
She cited a proposed bill, backed by the APC, seeking reserved seats for women in the National Assembly as evidence of the party’s commitment to gender inclusion.
According to her, the push for greater female representation in governance gives her optimism that Nigeria could soon produce its first elected female governor.
“There is a strong momentum for women in politics. If there is a time for a woman to emerge, this is the time. And if there is a state where that should happen, it should be Ogun State,” she said.
The former presidential aide also referenced Ogun’s historical legacy of women activism, mentioning prominent figures such as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Efunroye Tinubu as examples of strong female leadership rooted in the state’s culture.
“Ogun has a history of strong women who took responsibility and shaped society. From Mrs. Ransome-Kuti to Madam Tinubu, our women have always been active and influential,” she said.
Iyabo, a professor with a background in health research, maintained that her experience in public service and advocacy positions her well for leadership.
She added that consultations with political associates and stakeholders encouraged her return to partisan politics.
Political observers say her entry into the APC could reshape permutations within the party ahead of the 2027 governorship race, which is expected to attract several high-profile aspirants.
The 2027 Ogun governorship contest is already generating early alignments, with aspirants intensifying consultations across party lines.
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