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Ogun, Nigeria
Former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo has officially returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, weeks after dumping the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The move, which took place during a ceremony at the party’s state secretariat in Abeokuta on Wednesday, also saw her clinch the PDP’s senatorial ticket for Ogun Central Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The return of the daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo marks a significant political realignment in Ogun State, a state that has witnessed intense rivalry between the APC and the PDP in recent election cycles.
Iyabo Obasanjo, who represented Ogun Central in the Senate between 2007 and 2011 on the platform of the PDP, had left the party in the build-up to the 2015 elections. Her defection to the APC at the time was seen as a major blow to the PDP in the state. However, disagreements within the APC and what sources close to her describe as a desire to return to her political roots are said to have informed her latest move.
Speaking at the reception ceremony, the Ogun State PDP Chairman, who described the former senator as a "formidable grassroots mobilizer," said her return signals the rebuilding of the party ahead of 2027.
Today, we are not just receiving a former senator; we are welcoming back a founding member of this party who has seen the light and chosen to return home. Her experience and political weight will strengthen our structures across the 36 wards of Ogun Central and beyond, the chairman said.
While Iyabo Obasanjo herself did not immediately address the press after the closed-door session, a close associate told journalists that she was "fully committed to helping the PDP reclaim Ogun State and contribute to national recovery." The associate added that she would be making a formal public statement in the coming days.
Her emergence as the PDP senatorial candidate for Ogun Central sets the stage for what analysts predict will be a fiercely contested race. The district, which covers six local government areas including Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Odeda, Ifo, Ewekoro, and Obafemi Owode, has been under APC control in recent years.
Political watchers say her candidacy may energise the PDP base in Ogun Central, given her name recognition and the lingering influence of the Obasanjo political dynasty in the region. However, some have questioned whether her recent defections might affect voter trust.
Meanwhile, the APC in Ogun State has downplayed the development, insisting that Ogun Central remains loyal to the ruling party. In a brief text message, the state APC publicity secretary said, "We are not losing sleep. The achievements of our government will speak for us in 2027."
The PDP, for its part, said it will focus on unity and grassroots mobilisation as it seeks to capitalise on the momentum generated by Iyabo Obasanjo’s return.
With the 2027 elections still months away, political alignments are expected to continue shifting in the Gateway State. For now, the PDP has drawn first blood by pulling a prominent opposition figure back into its fold and handing her a ticket to run for a seat she once occupied.