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Iyabo Obasanjo
Former Senator and ex-Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, Iyabo Obasanjo, has declared that her father, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, will vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in support of her governorship ambition in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking with journalists on Monday at the All Progressives Congress National Secretariat in Abuja, Iyabo dismissed speculations that her decision to seek the APC governorship ticket was influenced by her father, stressing that her aspiration was driven by personal conviction and sustained calls from supporters across the state.
“My father is just another Nigerian who will vote for me. He has not presented any platform for me, nor has he influenced my decision in any way,” she said.
Iyabo explained that her return to active politics followed years of appeals from residents of Ogun State and political associates, many of whom are now members of the APC.
“I have not been in active politics for many years. I am back because the people of Ogun State asked for my return. Most of those I have worked with and had positive experiences with are now in APC, and that informed my choice,” she stated.
She expressed confidence in securing the party’s nomination and governing the state effectively, citing the goodwill she earned from her previous service in the Senate and as Commissioner for Health.
“If given the opportunity, I will bring my experience to bear in repositioning Ogun State and strengthening the APC,” she added.
On gender inclusion, Obasanjo noted that Nigeria has never produced an elected female governor, stressing that the time had come to give women greater opportunities in leadership.
“I believe it is very possible for a woman to become governor in Nigeria, and I hope it becomes the norm,” she said.
She also addressed zoning concerns, particularly calls for the governorship to rotate to Ogun West, noting that she would support any acceptable and popular candidate capable of winning across all zones of the state.
Iyabo, who was accompanied by top party leaders from Ogun State, pledged to anchor her campaign on development, industrial growth, education, science, and technology, while working to make the APC victorious in the state in 2027, in line with the broader reform agenda of President Bola Tinubu. (The Guardian)
