By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta
The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has joined the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun State.
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It was gathered that the former senator of Ogun Central completed her e-registration on Tuesday at Ibogun, Ward 11, Ifo Local Government Area of the state.
Confirming the development on Wednesday, Biodun Ajayi, former Chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government and a close ally of Prof. Obasanjo, told Vanguard that the registration was successfully concluded.
Ajayi, who currently serves as a Commissioner with the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, said: “I can confirm to you that Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo completed her online registration as a member of our great party, the APC, on Tuesday at Ibogun Ward 11 in Ifo Local Government.”
APC mum
However, when contacted, the Ogun State Director of Publicity of the APC, Mr. Femi Nuberu, neither confirmed nor denied the development.
Nuberu said the party had taken note of the heightened public interest generated by the ongoing membership registration exercise across the state, stressing that the process was open to all eligible Nigerians.
“We wish to clarify that the APC registration process is free, open and accessible to every Nigerian citizen aged 18 years and above, in line with our party’s constitution,” he said.
“Our primary focus at this time is the successful and inclusive conduct of the nationwide exercise, rather than the individual status of any specific registrant.
“All registration activities are domiciled at the ward level, where designated officials are responsible for managing and authenticating the process for new members.”
Nuberu added that the party was encouraged by the massive influx of new members in Ogun State, describing it as a vote of confidence in the APC-led administration at both federal and state levels.
“The growing membership reflects widespread approval of the policies and performance of the APC administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun,” he stated.
“It’s true’
A former member of the House of Representatives from the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the development.
“Yes, it is true. She registered at Ibogun on Tuesday. I am aware of that,” the source said.
The development came as a surprise to many political observers, who had speculated that the former Commissioner for Health and Senator representing Ogun Central between 2007 and 2011 would either return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, or join the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Towards the end of last year, campaign-style billboards bearing Obasanjo’s image surfaced across Abeokuta metropolis, fuelling speculation about her possible return to active politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The billboards carried the inscription: “In Ogun State, we know ourselves. Sen. (Prof.) Iyabo Obasanjo. Omo wa ni, eniyan wa ni, ara wa ni.”
ADC?
A prominent politician in the state had earlier told Vanguard that Obasanjo might join the ADC to pursue her political ambition, noting that former President Obasanjo supported the party in the 2019 general elections.
Similarly, the Ogun State Chairman of ADC, Otunba Femi Soluade, had said the party was open to receiving her, although no formal contact had been made.
Political analysts had also believed that Prof. Obasanjo would not align with the APC, given her father’s open support for Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, during the 2023 elections.
However, a source close to the former senator said her decision underscored her independence.
“She has her own mind, irrespective of her father’s political stance or public opinion,” the source said.
Obasanjo, now an Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, had recently acknowledged awareness of the billboards, saying they were erected by supporters.
Speaking during an interview with Remo TV in Sagamu at the 70th birthday celebration of former National President of the National Council of Women Societies, Chief Mrs. Gloria Shoda, she said she was not actively campaigning for any office.
“I am not keen on contesting for any political office in 2027. I live in the United States, I teach at the university, and I am fine,” she said.
“However, people who worked with me in the past insisted on showing their support. They said it was a sign of appreciation for my service, and I allowed them.”
She added that her political future remained in the hands of God and her supporters.
Born on April 27, 1967, Prof. Obasanjo studied Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ibadan. She served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health from 2003 to 2007 and as Senator representing Ogun Central from 2007 to 2011.
She lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Senator Gbenga Obadara of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and subsequently returned to the United States.
The recent developments have reignited speculation about a possible 2027 senatorial contest for Ogun Central.
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