Iyabo Obasanjo declares intention to contest Ogun State 2027 governorship, confident of APC ticket and pledges to bridge governance gaps

Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has expressed confidence in securing the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket for Ogun State in the 2027 elections.

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The former senator representing Ogun Central disclosed her ambition during a radio interview with Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, monitored on Wednesday.

She recently completed her e-registration as an APC member in Ibogun, Ward 11, Ifo Local Government, formally declaring her intention to contest the governorship.

Iyabo Obasanjo’s return to active politics comes 15 years after losing her bid to return to the Senate in 2011 to Senator Gbenga Obadara of the then Action Congress of Nigeria.

She subsequently pursued an academic career in the United States, rising to the rank of professor.

Speaking on her ambition, Obasanjo said she aims to bridge governance gaps in the state and positively impact the lives of Ogun residents.

“The position I’m going to run for is governor, and I believe it fits the skills I bring to the table. As Ogun citizens, I hope that when I’m governor, I will touch your life either directly or indirectly in a way that will improve your lives,” she stated.

Addressing calls for a power shift to Ogun West, she expressed concern that the region has not produced a governor in 50 years but maintained that power rotation is not constitutional.

Obasanjo assured that she would push for an Ogun West governor after her tenure.

She acknowledged time and money as potential disadvantages in her campaign but stressed that people’s perception of candidates’ integrity and performance matters more.

“I believe that people are good people, and they know who will do right by them. So, I’m very confident. The confidence comes from just why I’m back — that people saw what I did,” she said.

On her prospects against other APC contenders, Obasanjo said, “Everybody is politicking. There is no reason why I shouldn’t be out there politicking with them if I want the post or any other post.

I’m just like anybody else. So, is it 100 per cent? It’s not 100 per cent for anybody, and it’s not 100% for me. But I will do everything I can to make sure I’m the candidate.”

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Potential contenders for the 2027 Ogun governorship include Senator Adeola Solomon representing Ogun West, former Nigerian Ambassador to the UK Sarafadeen Tunji Ishola, three-time candidate Gboyega Isiaka, Dr. Tunde Lemo, and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Hon. Ladipupo Adebutu.