Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, has declared her intention to run for governor of Ogun State in 2027 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). She announced her political aspirations on Monday after a courtesy visit to the APC leadership at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.
Obasanjo, who has officially joined the APC, dismissed claims that her father’s influence played a role in her decision to contest for the governorship. She emphasized that her candidacy was driven by personal conviction and the repeated encouragement from her supporters across the state’s three geopolitical zones.
“My decision to run is based on the calls from the people of Ogun State, not because of my father,” Obasanjo stated. “While my father, like any Nigerian, will vote for me, he has not been involved in my decision-making process or political plans.”
Obasanjo, who has been away from active politics for several years, said she was returning because of the overwhelming requests from the people of Ogun State, many of whom are now members of the APC. Reflecting on her past contributions as a former Commissioner for Health and a Senator, she expressed confidence that the support she had garnered from her earlier public service would help secure the APC nomination and eventually lead to her success in the 2027 race.
She said, “During my tenure as Commissioner for Health, we made significant strides, and the goodwill from my time in the Senate continues to make it easy for me to rally support across the state.”
If elected, Obasanjo outlined a comprehensive vision for Ogun State, which would focus on development, industrial growth, education, and technology. She stressed the importance of preparing the state’s young population for careers in innovation and technology-driven sectors.
Obasanjo also addressed the issue of gender representation in Nigerian politics, emphasizing that it was time for women to be given more leadership opportunities. “I believe it is possible for a woman to become governor in Nigeria, and I hope that this will soon become the norm,” she said.
When asked about the ongoing debate over zoning in Ogun State and whether the governorship ticket should be micro-zoned to Ogun West, Obasanjo acknowledged the longstanding calls for a governor from the region. However, she argued that the APC should prioritize fielding a candidate capable of winning votes across all three senatorial districts.
“The race should be open to everyone,” she said. “Every zone deserves an equal chance, but the party’s priority must be on electability and the ability to unite the entire state.”
Obasanjo’s announcement marks the beginning of what is likely to be a highly competitive race for the governorship of Ogun State in 2027.