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Daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, has officially returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), days after resigning from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and has been unveiled as the party’s senatorial candidate for Ogun Central ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Her return was marked on Wednesday at a high-turnout, carnival-styled ceremony held at the PDP secretariat in Abeokuta, where she was formally received by the state leadership. The state chairman, Dr Abayomi Tella, alongside other party executives, presented her with the party flag, confirming her candidacy.
Tella, speaking on behalf of the party leadership, stated: “On behalf of our National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, and the entire National Working Committee of the PDP, I present to our revered sister, Prof Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, this flag as the authority of the party for her candidature for the Senate in Ogun Central.”
The event was preceded by a procession through major streets in Abeokuta, with Obasanjo-Bello, PDP governorship candidate Ladi Adebutu, supporters, and party members drawing attention across the city.
Obasanjo-Bello took the party oath, pledging allegiance to the PDP constitution and manifesto. Explaining her departure from the APC, she cited what she described as disrespect and exclusion within the party structure. According to her, internal processes were not inclusive, and her concerns were ignored during candidate selection discussions.
“I was a commissioner for four years and also a senator for another four years in this state,” she said, adding that her treatment within the APC fell short of expectations despite her political experience.
She also noted that her initial decision to join the APC was influenced by President Bola Tinubu’s respectful personal engagements with her, but said internal party dynamics later became difficult.
PDP governorship candidate Ladi Adebutu, addressing supporters, promised transparent governance and financial discipline if elected, including full autonomy for local governments.
Obasanjo-Bello, who previously served as Ogun Central senator from 2007 to 2011 and commissioner for health between 2003 and 2007, had largely stayed out of frontline politics after relocating abroad in 2011 before re-emerging ahead of the 2027 cycle.
