Former Senator representing Ogun Central and daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing alleged maltreatment, disrespect, and exclusion by the party’s leadership in Ogun State.
Her resignation was contained in a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun State Chairman of the APC, Chief Yemi Sanusi. A copy of the letter was made available to journalists on Monday.
Prof. Obasanjo, an Associate Professor of Epidemiology based in the United States, recently participated in the APC governorship primaries ahead of the 2027 elections before the emergence of Senator Solomon Adeola as the party’s consensus candidate.
She faulted the process that produced Adeola, describing it as inconsistent with the APC’s established guidelines and alleging that proper consultation among aspirants was not conducted before the decision was announced.
According to her, although she had earlier pledged to respect any consensus arrangement reached by the party, the leadership failed to carry her along in line with its own internal rules.
She also alleged that some of her supporters were prevented from accessing the venue where Adeola was declared the consensus candidate.
Despite her grievances, Iyabo Obasanjo said she initially accepted the outcome in the interest of party unity and even congratulated the candidate after his emergence.
She added that Senator Adeola later reached out to her and met with her supporters, during which they presented three requests, which she described as non-compulsory. However, she claimed that no feedback was received months after the meeting.
The former senator said the incident reflected a broader pattern of exclusion and disrespect she experienced within the party since joining.
“A famous person once said that when disrespect is the only dish served, then one should leave the table. I am therefore leaving the APC table where I am not welcome,” she wrote in her resignation letter.
She further stated that she had contributed significantly to strengthening the party in Ogun Central and across the state but felt unappreciated by the leadership.
However, she expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the Ogun State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, and the Senatorial Chairman of Ogun Central, Chief Soremi, for what she described as their cordial treatment during her time in the party.
Iyabo Obasanjo formally returned to partisan politics in January when she registered as a member of the APC in Ward 11, Ibogun, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Her political return had earlier sparked speculation about a possible governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 elections, following the appearance of campaign-style billboards bearing her image across parts of Abeokuta.