Former senator representing Ogun Central and daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has explained why she resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing what she described as persistent disrespect, exclusion and lack of recognition within the party.
In a resignation letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, Obasanjo said her decision followed months of what she considered unfair treatment after the emergence of Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi) as the party’s consensus governorship candidate.
The former lawmaker, who recently sought the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 elections, said she had agreed to support any candidate that emerged through a consensus process. However, she claimed she was neither consulted nor involved before Adeola was announced as the party’s consensus choice.
According to her, some of her supporters were denied access to the venue where the candidate was unveiled and were allegedly intimidated during the process.
Despite her reservations, Obasanjo said she accepted the outcome in the interest of party unity and publicly congratulated Adeola immediately after his emergence.
She further disclosed that the senator later requested a meeting with her supporters, during which several issues were raised. However, she said Adeola promised to respond within a week but failed to do so more than two months later.
“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 stated.
While announcing her exit from the ruling party, Obasanjo expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Ogun APC chairman Chief Yemi Sanusi and party leaders in Ogun Central for the support and courtesies extended to her during her membership.
Obasanjo returned to partisan politics earlier this year when she registered as an APC member in Ward 11, Ibogun, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State after spending years away from active politics in the United States.
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.
Her return to the political scene became evident in late 2025 when campaign billboards bearing her image surfaced across Abeokuta ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
With her resignation, political observers are expected to watch closely for her next move and whether she will pursue her governorship ambition on another platform.