Iyabo Obasanjo Leaves APC, Blames Party for Mistreatment and Disrespect

James Sowole in Abeokuta

Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, has resigned from the ruling party, citing maltreatment, rejection and disrespect from its leadership.

Her resignation was submitted in a letter dated May 31, addressed to the state chairman of the APC, Chief Yemi Sanusi.

Professor of Epidemiology and first child of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, she specifically criticized the consensus arrangement that produced Ogun West Senator Solomon Adeola as the party’s governorship candidate.

Obasanjo said the arrangement that led to Adeola’s nomination did not comply with the party’s stated rules and guidelines.

She noted that although she had informed the party leadership from the outset that she would abide by the consensus process, the leadership announced Adeola as the candidate without consulting her. She referred to Adeola as “Yayi” and said the decision was made contrary to the established rules.

Obasanjo alleged that her supporters were violently manhandled and were not allowed to enter the venue where Adeola’s consensus candidacy was announced.

She added that she had tolerated these irregularities and, in the spirit of respecting the party decision, issued a statement on the night of the announcement congratulating Yayi and pledging her support for his gubernatorial campaign.

She further revealed that Adeola called her on the second day to thank her for her magnanimity and promised to visit her personally, which he did two weeks later.

During the visit, her supporters made three requests. She told the senator that while the requests were not compulsory, he should let them know if he could accommodate them.

The professor said the senator promised to respond within a week, but over two months later there had been no reply.

She said that the maltreatment and cold rejection she had suffered since joining the party left her with no choice but to quit.

Obasanjo praised President Bola Tinubu for his support, as well as the favorable disposition of state party chairman Sanusi and Ogun Central senatorial leader Chief Soremi during her tenure with the ruling party.