Iyabo Obasanjo dumps APC, cites disrespect, breach of agreement after Ogun governorship loss

Former Senator for Ogun Central, Iyabo Obasanjo, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), just two months after losing the party’s governorship ticket in Ogun State.

In a resignation letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, the daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo cited what she described as persistent disrespect from the party leadership and alleged breach of agreements surrounding the party’s consensus arrangement.

Iyabo Obasanjo said her decision followed months of dissatisfaction with how the governorship selection process was handled, particularly the emergence of Senator Solomon Adeola as the APC consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.

She noted that she had initially pledged to abide by the party’s decision if a consensus candidate emerged, but argued that the process did not align with APC guidelines and was marred by exclusion and alleged mistreatment of her supporters.

“When I started the journey to get the party’s nomination for Governor, I came to see you and I said to you and everyone both privately and publicly that I will honour the party’s consensus decision once it has been made,” she stated.

According to her, some of her supporters were allegedly prevented from accessing the venue where the consensus decision was announced, while she herself was not formally acknowledged despite being a major contender in the race.

“At the venue, with no prior meeting with me as a candidate, given what the national party says in its guidelines on what consensus should be, a candidate was announced,” she said.

She further expressed disappointment that a follow-up engagement with Senator Adeola did not yield any response to requests made by her supporters, despite an earlier assurance that feedback would be provided within a week.

“This is just part of the general treatment I have received from APC of disrespect and rejection as if I was not there making contributions that increased support for the party in Ogun Central and across the state,” she said.

Announcing her departure, she stated that she could no longer remain in what she described as a politically unwelcoming environment.

“A famous person once said that 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 declared.

Despite her resignation, Iyabo Obasanjo expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and some party leaders for their cordial relations during her brief stay in the ruling party.

She joined the APC in early 2026 and had briefly shown interest in the Ogun governorship race before stepping down following the party’s consensus arrangement.