Iyabo Obasanjo, a former Ogun central senator has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) alleging persistent disrespect, rejection and unfair treatment by the party’s leadership in Ogun state.
Obasanjo announced her resignation in a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun State APC chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi.
The former senator, who recently contested for the APC governorship ticket in Ogun state ahead of the 2027 elections, expressed dissatisfaction with the consensus process that produced Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the party’s governorship candidate.
The United States-based Associate Professor of Epidemiology said the process violated the spirit of the party’s guidelines, stressing that despite her commitment to support any consensus candidate, she was not consulted before Adeola was announced.
“I agreed to support whichever candidate emerged through a consensus process, but I was not consulted before Senator Adeola was presented as the consensus candidate,” she stated.
Obasanjo further alleged that some of her supporters were prevented from gaining access to the venue where the candidate was unveiled and were subjected to intimidation.
“Some of my supporters were denied access to the venue and intimidated. Nevertheless, I accepted the outcome in the interest of party unity and publicly congratulated Senator Adeola that same night,” she said.
According to her, following Adeola’s emergence, the senator requested a meeting with her supporters during which three requests were presented to him.
“Following his emergence, Senator Adeola requested a meeting with my supporters. During that meeting, three requests were made and he promised to respond within one week. More than two months later, no response has been received,” she added.
Obasanjo said the lack of response reinforced what she described as a pattern of disregard for her contributions and political relevance within the party.
“The treatment I have received since then has reflected a consistent pattern of rejection and disrespect. When disrespect is the only dish served, then one should leave the table. I am therefore leaving the APC table where I am not welcomed,” she declared.
Despite her decision to quit the ruling party, the former lawmaker expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Ogun APC Chairman Chief Yemi Sanusi and leaders of the Ogun Central Senatorial District for the support and courtesies extended to her during her membership of the party.
Obasanjo returned to active politics earlier this year after registering as an APC member in Ward 11, Ibogun, in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
She previously served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health between 2003 and 2007 before representing Ogun Central Senatorial District in the Senate from 2007 to 2011.
After losing her re-election bid in 2011, she relocated to the United States and remained largely away from partisan politics until late 2025 when campaign billboards bearing her image surfaced across Abeokuta, signalling her political comeback ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
