Former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo was formally welcomed into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State on Wednesday after exiting the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Iyabo, daughter of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, represented Ogun Central in the Senate from 2007 to 2011 before losing her re-election bid. After leaving office, she relocated to the United States where she pursued an academic career.
Earlier this year, she returned to partisan politics after a 15-year break and joined the APC with plans to contest for governor. However, on 31 May, she announced her resignation from the party, accusing its leadership of betrayal, disrespect and unfair treatment after failing to secure the governorship ticket.
Her move to the PDP was formalised at a rally held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta.
Speaking at the event, the Ogun PDP chairman, Dr Abayomi Tella, handed the party’s flag to Iyabo and unveiled her as the party’s candidate for Ogun Central in the next election.
“On behalf of our National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, and the entire National Working Committee of the PDP, I, Abayomi Tella, PhD, the State Chairman of the PDP, and on behalf of PDP Ogun Central, 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,” Tella said.
After taking the party’s oath, Iyabo pledged commitment to the PDP and promised to put public interest first.
“I commit myself to the ideals of the PDP. I shall serve the people of Ogun State and Nigeria with integrity, humility, and dedication, prioritising their welfare above personal and sectional interests,” she declared.
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She also expressed confidence in her chances at the polls, maintaining that she remains the strongest contender and the most effective person to have represented Ogun Central in the Senate.
Also addressing supporters, Ladi Adebutu promised that if elected governor, his administration would strengthen local councils through full implementation of local government autonomy and ensure accountability in public spending.
“I, Oladipupo, son of Adebutu, won’t steal your money. Local governments will get their funds accordingly, and we shall be transparent in all our dealings,” he said.