By Editor
It was indeed carnival like as daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Professor Iyabo Obasanjo returned to the fold of People’s Democratic Party, PDP after her recent defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Tracker reports that Obasanjo represented Ogun Central in the Senate between 2007 and 2011. After losing her re-election bid in 2011, she relocated to the United States, where she pursued a career in academia.
Obasanjo returned to active politics earlier this year and joined the APC with ambitions to contest the governorship election.
However, she resigned from the ruling party on May 31 after failing to secure its governorship ticket and subsequently rejoined the PDP.
She returned to the party after massive rally at the PDP secretariat in Abeokuta, where the party officially welcomed her back into its fold and presented her with the senatorial ticket for Ogun Central.
Earlier Obasanjo, alongside the Governorship candidate of the party, Hon Ladi Adebutu, supporters, and PDP members from Ogun Central and other parts of the state, embarked on a procession through major streets of Abeokuta, the State capital.
At the event, the PDP State Chairman, Dr. Abayomi Tella, presented the party flag to Obasanjo, officially announcing her as the PDP candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District in the forthcoming election.
He said “On behalf of our National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, and the entire National Working Committee of the PDP, I present this flag as the authority of the party for her candidature for the Senate in Ogun Central”.
Taking the party’s oath, Obasanjo pledged her loyalty to the PDP and promised to serve the people of Ogun State and Nigeria with integrity, humility, and dedication.
“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 stated.
The former senator also explained that her decision to leave the APC was driven by what she described as disrespect, betrayal, and unfair treatment by the party leadership.
According to her, some of those responsible were individuals she had previously supported politically. She maintained that she remains a formidable contender in the coming election and described herself as the best senator to have represented Ogun Central.
Adebutu in his remarks, assured residents that his administration would be guided by transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public resources if elected in the 2027 general election.
He also pledged to strengthen local government administration by implementing full local government autonomy, ensuring councils receive and manage their allocations without interference.
Adebutu stated, “Our parents have taught us well, and I want to assure you that we won’t steal public funds”.
He concluded, “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.”
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