By Prosper Mene
In a move that is already generating serious buzz ahead of the 2027 governorship race in Ogun State, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, the first child of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a leading All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, has called for unity and collaboration among political stakeholders to stamp out electoral violence once and for all.
The University of Ibadan-trained veterinary doctor and epidemiologist made the passionate appeal on Friday during a high-level stakeholdersโ engagement with the Ogun State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) at the councilโs secretariat in Abeokuta.
Dressed in her signature elegant style and exuding the confidence of a woman ready to lead, Senator Obasanjo stressed that open dialogue and proactive collaboration are the real game-changers needed to reduce tension and ensure peaceful polls.
โCollaboration reduces tension because it creates room for dialogue and open discussion of issues. Through this, problems can be addressed ahead of time, ensuring that on election day, there is no violence or conflict. That, I believe, is the essence of empathetic collaboration, which I want all of us to be conscious of as we draw closer to the 2027 elections and beyond,โ she said.
The former Ogun State Commissioner for Health, who has decades of experience both in and outside politics, used the platform to also reiterate her vision for the state. She promised to prioritise job creation through industrialisation and agricultural development, invest heavily in digital skills for the youth, and deliver improved healthcare and education if given the mandate to govern Ogun State.
Her engagement with IPAC is being seen as a strategic step in her consultations, showing her commitment to inclusive politics and building bridges across party lines.
Reacting to the meeting, IPAC Chairman, Abayomi Sanyaolu, confirmed that the council currently recognises only three serious governorship aspirants in the state based on formal engagement: Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, and former Nigeriaโs High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Tunji Isola.
โAs it stands today, we recognise only three aspirants: Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, and Sarafa Tunji Isola. We do not have four or five for now,โ Sanyaolu stated. He emphasised that IPAC, which brings together chairmen of all registered political parties in the state, expects every serious aspirant to present their plans and vision at the councilโs secretariat.
This latest development comes as political activities in Ogun State begin to heat up, with many eyes now on how stakeholders will respond to Senator Obasanjoโs call for empathetic collaboration. Her message is clear: peace, dialogue, and collective responsibility must take centre stage as the state prepares for 2027.
Nigerians, especially in Ogun, are watching closely. Will this call spark the much-needed change in the stateโs political landscape? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain โ Senator Iyabo Obasanjo is not just talking the talk, sheโs walking the walk towards a more peaceful and united Ogun State.
