Iyabo Obasanjo Dumps APC, Returns to PDP, Backs Adebutu for 2027

Former Senator representing Ogun Central, Iyabo Obasanjo, has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), barely a week after resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, formally rejoined the PDP on Monday during the unveiling of the party’s deputy governorship candidate in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The former Ogun State Commissioner for Health, who recently returned from the United States, was warmly received by party members at the PDP secretariat, where she expressed confidence in the party’s chances in the 2027 governorship election.

Speaking at the event, Obasanjo declared her support for the PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, describing him as the state’s incoming governor.

While indicating that she would make more detailed comments during a formal reception organised in her honour, she hinted at unresolved grievances and promised to address them at a later date.

“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.

Addressing the PDP deputy governorship candidate, she added: “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.

“But this time, God is saying that he will be our next governor now that I am joining the party.”

Obasanjo’s return to the PDP comes days after she resigned from the APC, citing rejection, maltreatment and a 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 criticised the process that produced Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the party’s consensus governorship candidate.

She alleged that party leaders failed to consult her before announcing Adeola as their preferred candidate despite assurances that stakeholders would be involved in the consensus-building process.

According to her, some of her supporters were also denied access to the venue where the consensus candidate was unveiled.

Although she said she accepted the party’s decision and publicly congratulated Adeola, pledging support for his governorship ambition, she claimed subsequent engagements yielded little result.

Obasanjo disclosed that Adeola later visited her and promised to consider requests made by her supporters but failed to follow up after the meeting.

She said the incidents reinforced her sense of exclusion within the ruling party and ultimately influenced her decision to quit the APC.

Obasanjo joined the APC in January after registering as a member in Ward 11, Ibogun, in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

She served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health between 2003 and 2007 and represented Ogun Central Senatorial District in the Senate from 2007 to 2011 before relocating to the United States following her unsuccessful re-election bid.