‎𝗜𝘆𝗮𝗯𝗼 𝗢𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗷𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗣𝗖, 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗲𝘅-𝗢𝗴𝘂𝗻 𝗟𝗚 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿 ‎

By Prosper Mene

Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, has reportedly registered as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State. The development, confirmed by political sources close to the family, occurred on Tuesday at Ibogun Ward 11 in Ifo Local Government Area.

Hon. Biodun Ajayi, a former chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government and a known associate of the Obasanjo family, made the disclosure to journalists. According to Ajayi, Prof. Obasanjo completed her online registration as a member of the ruling party during the ongoing membership drive.

A former House of Representatives member from the area, speaking anonymously, corroborated the registration, describing it as accurate. Efforts to obtain an official confirmation from the Ogun State APC leadership were unsuccessful, with the party’s Director of Publicity, Mr. Femi Nuberu, stating only that the membership registration remains open to all eligible Nigerians aged 18 and above, without directly addressing the specific claim.

The move has sparked significant speculation in Ogun State’s political circles, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections. Prof. Obasanjo, a former senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District (2007–2011) under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ex-Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, has largely stayed out of active politics in recent years. However, her re-emergence follows the appearance of campaign-style billboards bearing her name and image in parts of Abeokuta late last year, with messages like “In Ogun State, we know ourselves. Sen (Prof) Iyabo Obasanjo. Omo wa ni, eniyan wa ni, ara wa ni.”

Political analysts note the surprise element in her reported alignment with the APC, given her father’s critical stance toward the party and his support for the Labour Party’s Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election. Observers had previously speculated she might return to the PDP or join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party associated with her father’s political influence in the past.

This development adds to the growing list of high-profile shifts in Ogun politics as various figures position themselves for future contests, including potential gubernatorial ambitions. No official statement has been issued by Prof. Obasanjo herself regarding her intentions or any political aspirations.