Iyabo Obasanjo Says She Will Stay in Ogun Governorship Race, Rejects Step-Down Claims

Iyabo Obasanjo has said she entered the Ogun governorship race to contest fully and has no plan to withdraw for any other aspirant.

Speaking at a media parley with journalists at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta on Saturday, the daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo said she is already consulting across the state and is focused on securing the All Progressives Congress ticket.

She said claims that she joined the process only to step down do not reflect her political objective. According to her, she is in the race to compete and intends to pursue the nomination through party consultations and campaign work.

Obasanjo also argued that Ogun can break new ground in the 2027 election cycle by producing Nigeria’s first elected female governor. She described that possibility as realistic if voters and party stakeholders back a candidate on merit.

Addressing criticism about grassroots presence, she said her political base is rooted in community-level engagement. She cited her previous Senate campaign in Ogun Central Senatorial District, saying she visited remote communities and maintained direct contact with residents.

Obasanjo said, “I will compete with everybody in the field,” adding that she would do “everything within my power to get the party ticket.” She also said, “the grassroots is actually where my strength is as a politician.”

On questions about her return after spending time outside active politics, she said her period overseas helped her study governance systems in other places, especially municipal administration and tax structures.

She added that her professional background before entering politics shaped her view of public office. In her words, public service should be treated as a platform for development, not as a lifelong entitlement.

Her comments come as early political positioning gathers pace ahead of the next Ogun governorship contest. Within the APC, consultations and alignments are expected to intensify as aspirants seek support from party leaders and local structures.

For now, Obasanjo’s message is direct: she is in the race to run, to compete for the ticket, and to test her support at the grassroots and within the party hierarchy.