Iyabo Obasanjo Quits APC Over Disrespect And Exclusion

Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has left the All-Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the party of sidelining her and disrespecting her role in Ogun State politics.

Her resignation, contained in a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the state chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, marks a dramatic turn in her political comeback. After years abroad, she had re-entered Nigerian politics earlier this year, registering in her ward in Ibogun, Ifo Local Government Area, and declaring interest in the 2027 governorship race.

Contest and Consensus
Obasanjo contested for the APC governorship ticket but was edged out in a consensus arrangement that produced Senator Solomon Adeola as candidate. She insists the process violated party guidelines and excluded her entirely.

She revealed that her supporters were blocked from the venue where Adeola was unveiled and subjected to intimidation. Despite these grievances, she publicly congratulated Adeola, hoping unity would prevail.

Broken Promises
Adeola later sought a meeting with her supporters. They presented three requests, and he promised to respond within a week. Two months passed without feedback. For Obasanjo, this silence symbolized a deeper pattern of rejection.

Her words were sharp: “When disrespect is the only dish served, then one should leave the table. I am therefore leaving the APC table where I am not welcome.”

Courtesy and Departure
While expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Chief Sanusi, and Ogun Central leaders for their courtesy, she made clear that her decision was final. The former senator said she could no longer remain in a party where her contributions were dismissed.

Political Journey
Obasanjo’s career has been marked by resilience. She served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health from 2003 to 2007 and represented Ogun Central in the Senate between 2007 and 2011. After losing her re-election bid, she relocated to the United States, where she built an academic career in epidemiology.

Her return to politics in late 2025 was signaled by campaign billboards across Abeokuta. Many saw her comeback as a bid to challenge entrenched structures in Ogun politics. Her resignation now raises questions about her next move and whether she will align with another party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Implications
Her exit underscores tensions within the APC in Ogun State. It highlights the struggles of women in Nigerian politics, where exclusion and intimidation remain common. Obasanjo’s departure also signals potential cracks in the party’s unity as it prepares for the next electoral cycle.

For a figure with her pedigree—daughter of a former president, seasoned legislator, and health commissioner—the decision to quit is not just personal. It reflects broader dissatisfaction with how consensus politics is managed in Nigeria.

Iyabo Obasanjo’s resignation leaves open speculation about her political future. Will she join another party? Will she continue her governorship ambition under a different platform? For now, she has chosen to step away from a table where she felt unwelcome.

Her move is a reminder that political loyalty must be earned through respect, inclusion, and fairness—values she insists were absent in her APC experience.