I’m Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Senator for Ogun Central (2007–2011), has addressed speculation about her potential participation in the 2027 elections.
Reports had circulated after the Ogun State chapter of the African Democratic Congress reportedly invited her to run under its platform, and her image appeared on some billboards endorsing her candidacy. One such billboard read: “In Ogun State, we know ourselves. Senator (Prof) Iyabo Obasanjo. Omo wa ni, eniyan wa ni, ara wa ni.”
In a recent interview with Remo TV, Obasanjo-Bello, who is now a US-based professor and epidemiologist, emphasised that she is not actively campaigning. She revealed that while some supporters have publicly backed her, she initially asked them to stop.
“There are some people who have worked with me in the past and have said this is who we like, we support this person. At first, I told them to stop because I was like I have a good life, I live in the US, I teach at the university and I have the life I want,” she said.
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However, after being advised to allow her supporters to continue, she chose not to intervene. “Some people said they are not asking me for money or anything, and I should leave them alone. They just want my permission to do what they need to do, and everyone says it is a sign of love and a sign that you’ve done well. They also say that if you tell them to stop, it is like you are dampening their enthusiasm. So I let them go on. Nobody can say I am actively campaigning; I have not done anything but they are moving on, I have given them permission to do whatever they feel they want to do and that is it,” she added.
Obasanjo-Bello also highlighted that her supporters’ encouragement reflects her work in mentoring others. “The reason people want me back is also what I am doing in teaching. I like having people do better. I guide them in their lives, and there are several people in Ogun State whom I have helped become who they are, and they appreciate it. For me, it is an example that people should do good. In politics or wherever you find yourself. Because if you do good, people will see it and they will come back and say we want you for something,” she said.
She remains committed to her academic and mentoring roles while encouraging others to excel in their respective positions.