The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State on Wednesday officially received former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo after she rejoined the party following her recent defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party also handed her the senatorial ticket for Ogun Central ahead of next year’s election.

Senator Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, represented Ogun Central in the Senate between 2007 and 2011.

She lost her re-election bid in 2011 and left the country to pursue a career in academia in the United States of America.

In January this year, Senator Obasanjo returned to active politics after 15 years and joined the ruling APC, where she declared her ambition to run for governor

On May 31, she resigned her APC membership after losing the governorship ticket and rejoined her former party, the PDP.

Senator Obasanjo was officially received into the PDP fold at a massive rally held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta.

The reception was preceded by a procession through major streets in Abeokuta by Senator Obasanjo, flanked by the party’s governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, her supporters, and PDP members from Ogun Central and other parts of the state.

The State Chairman of the PDP, Dr Abayomi Tella, presented the PDP flag to Senator Obasanjo, welcoming her back to the party and announcing her as the PDP 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.

Taking the party’s oath, Senator Obasanjo pledged her loyalty and allegiance to the PDP, its constitution, manifesto, and code of conduct.

“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.

The former commissioner reiterated that she left the ruling party because of disrespect, betrayal, and unfair treatment by the APC leadership.

Senator Obasanjo said the acts of disrespect and betrayal were fuelled by those she had “helped and clothed” politically.

She declared that she remains the candidate to beat in the next election, saying she remains the best senator to have represented Ogun Central.

On his part, Adebutu vowed that, if elected governor, his administration would ensure the viability of local government areas by implementing local government autonomy.

He also promised to be prudent and transparent in the management of public funds.

“Our parents have taught us well, and I want to assure you that we won’t steal public funds.

“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,” Adebutu said. (Daily Trust)

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