Iyabo Obasanjo wins PDP's Ogun Central Senate ticket after APC exit

Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has been chosen as the People's Democratic Party's candidate for the Ogun Central Senate seat in the 2027 elections. The announcement came after she formally rejoined the PDP following her exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Party officials, including state chairman Dr. Abayomi Tella and national leadership, unveiled her candidacy at a carnival event held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta.

Obasanjo cited disrespect and unfair treatment as reasons for leaving the APC. She had previously attempted to secure the party's gubernatorial nomination in May but was unsuccessful in that bid, leading to her decision to depart and return to her former political home.

The PDP reception featured the party's Ogun State gubernatorial candidate, Ladi Adebutu, alongside her, signalling unified party support for her senatorial ambitions. This marks a political comeback for Obasanjo, who previously represented Ogun Central as a senator from 2007 to 2011.

She lost her re-election bid that year and subsequently left Nigeria to pursue an academic career in the United States, stepping away from active politics for approximately 15 years. Her return to electoral politics comes as she pledged loyalty to the PDP's party manifesto and direction.

The formal reception of her candidacy included processions through major streets in Abeokuta, demonstrating visible party mobilisation around her nomination. Party officials at the state and national levels were present to endorse her Senate ticket for the 2027 general elections.