Daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, who resigned her membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress last week, was on Wednesday formally received back into the Peoples Democratic Party.
At a well-attended, carnival-like event held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta, the state chairman of the party, Dr Abayomi Tella, supported by other party leaders, presented Obasanjo with the party flag, formally announcing her as its senatorial candidate for Ogun Central ahead of the 2027 elections.
The reception was preceded by a procession through major streets in Abeokuta by Obasanjo, flanked by the party’s governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, her supporters, and PDP members from Ogun Central and other parts of the state.
Speaking at the event, Dr Tella said: “On behalf of our National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, and the entire National Working Committee of the PDP, I, Dr Abayomi Tella, 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.”
Taking the party’s oath, 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 said.
The former lawmaker said she left the APC because of what she described as disrespect, betrayal and unfair treatment by the party leadership.
The 59-year-old Obasanjo said she was treated like a child in the ruling APC, hence her decision to dump the party and return to the PDP.
“The APC treated me like a child, whereas I will be 60 years old by the grace of God next year,” she said.
She explained that she initially joined the APC because of the respect President Bola Tinubu accorded her during their interactions.
“When I decided to go back into politics after about 20 years, I pitched my tent with the All Progressives Congress because of the way and manner the leader of the party and the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, usually honour me whenever I had the opportunity to meet him at functions.
“The President always treated me like his daughter, so I thought joining his party would not be a bad idea. Yoruba people cherish honour and respect; it is not about money,” she said.
She added that despite contributing her quota in the APC, she felt sidelined during the party’s decision-making processes.
She also alleged that her concerns over internal party processes were ignored, particularly regarding consensus arrangements and candidate selection.
According to her, she was eventually excluded in a manner she considered disrespectful.
“I was a commissioner for four years and also a senator for another four years in this state,” she said.
Obasanjo added that the acts of disrespect and betrayal were influenced by those she had “helped and clothed” politically.
She said she remained confident of her chances in the forthcoming election, describing herself as the most qualified candidate for Ogun Central.
Addressing the large crowd, the PDP governorship candidate, Adebutu, pledged that if elected governor, his administration would ensure full local government autonomy and prudent management of public funds.
“Our parents have taught us well, and I want to assure you that we will not steal public funds.
“Local governments will get their funds accordingly, and we shall be transparent in all our dealings,” he added.
Obasanjo had in January signalled her return to active politics when she registered as an APC member in Ward 11, Ibogun, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
She later resigned from the party, citing rejection, maltreatment and lack of respect from its leadership in a letter dated May 31 addressed to the APC state chairman.
The former commissioner for health (2003–2007) and senator representing Ogun Central (2007–2011) had relocated to the United States in 2011 after losing her re-election bid.
She remained largely out of active politics until late last year, when her billboards resurfaced across Abeokuta, signalling a political comeback.
