By Prosper Mene
Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has firmly stated that she does not require her father’s political backing as she pursues the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket for Ogun State in the 2027 elections.
In recent interviews, the 59-year-old former senator and one-time Ogun State Commissioner for Health emphasized that her decision to run is a personal one, driven by grassroots calls and her track record of service rather than familial influence.
“I don’t think at this age I should be consulting them for everything in my career move,” she said in a Channels Television interview. “What I have said is that my father, I know, and my mother will vote for me; that’s all that I can ask of them. Even if I don’t ask, they will vote for me; that I can guarantee.”
She dismissed suggestions that her father’s stature or connections played a role in her ambition, describing her move to the APC as an independent journey. “My father is just another Nigerian who will vote for me. He has not presented any platform for me and has not influenced my decision in any way,” she told journalists at the APC national secretariat in Abuja earlier this week.
Iyabo Obasanjo, who represented Ogun Central in the Senate and has been out of active politics for over a decade, formally declared her governorship interest under the APC platform in late February 2026. She defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling party, citing alignment with many of her former associates now in the APC and a desire to build on her past contributions in health and community development.
The aspirant positioned herself as a formidable contender, citing her experience and goodwill from previous roles. She pledged to focus on inclusive development, women empowerment, infrastructure renewal, and quality education if elected. Noting that Ogun State has never had a female governor, she called on women and youths to support her bid, aiming to make history as the state’s first elected female chief executive.
While expressing confidence in securing the APC ticket and winning the general election, Iyabo Obasanjo stressed self-reliance in funding and mobilization. She has also addressed zoning dynamics in the state, supporting calls for Ogun West to produce the next governor while asserting her readiness based on service history.
Her campaign has generated significant momentum, with social media and news outlets amplifying her statements on independence from her father’s influence. As the 2027 race heats up, observers note that her entry adds a prominent voice to the APC’s internal contest, potentially reshaping the political landscape in Ogun State.
