ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A former Senator representing Ogun Central, Iyabo Obasanjo has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just days after resigning from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Her return was made public on Monday during the unveiling of the PDP’s deputy governorship candidate in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where party members received her with loud cheers at the state secretariat.
Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, recently returned from the United States and used the occasion to express confidence in the PDP’s chances ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.
She declared support for the party’s governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, praising his repeated efforts to clinch the state’s top seat.
She said she would reserve fuller comments until her formal welcome ceremony but hinted at unresolved grievances within her former political camp.
“I actually have a lot to say, there are many people that we shall call out, but I won’t say anything now until you organise that official welcome back into the party,” she said.
She added: “However, I want to greet our deputy governorship candidate. I am convinced that you will be our next deputy governor. I want to thank our incoming governor from 2027, Hon Oladipupo Adebutu, because he has really tried to become the governor of the state for the first, second and third time.
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“But this time, God is saying that he will be our next governor now that I am joining the party.”
Her return comes shortly after she quit the APC, citing rejection, maltreatment, and lack of respect from the party leadership.
In a resignation letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun APC chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, she faulted the process that produced Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as “Yayi,” as the consensus governorship candidate.
She alleged that party leaders failed to consult her despite assurances that stakeholders would be carried along in the selection process.
She also claimed that some of her supporters were barred from the venue where the consensus candidate was announced.
Although she said she initially accepted the party’s decision and congratulated Adeola, she noted that promises made to her supporters were not fulfilled.
According to her, a follow-up visit by Adeola yielded no response on those concerns, deepening her sense of exclusion.
Iyabo Obasanjo had joined the APC in January after registering in Ward 11, Ibogun, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
She previously served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health from 2003 to 2007 and represented Ogun Central in the Senate between 2007 and 2011 before relocating to the United States after losing her re-election bid.