Former Ogun Central senator and daughter of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the party’s leadership in Ogun State of persistent disrespect, rejection, and unfair treatment.
Obasanjo, a United States-based Associate Professor of Epidemiology, disclosed her resignation in a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi. A copy of the letter was made available on Monday.
She recently contested for the APC governorship ticket in Ogun State but expressed dissatisfaction with the consensus process that produced Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi) as the party’s candidate, describing it as inconsistent with APC guidelines.
According to her, she had earlier agreed to abide by any consensus arrangement but was neither consulted nor involved in the process that led to Adeola’s emergence. She also alleged that some of her supporters were denied access to the venue where the candidate was unveiled and were subjected to intimidation.
Despite the grievances, Obasanjo said she accepted the outcome in the interest of party unity and publicly congratulated Adeola on the night of his emergence.
However, she claimed that follow-up engagements with the senator yielded no response, despite assurances that her supporters’ requests would be addressed within a week.
“The treatment I have received since then has reflected a consistent pattern of rejection and disrespect. When disrespect is the only dish served, then one should leave the table,” she said in her resignation statement.
She added that she was leaving the APC “table” where she felt unwelcome.
Obasanjo also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the Ogun APC leadership, and party officials in Ogun Central for their support during her time in the party.
She returned to active politics earlier in 2025 after registering as an APC member in Ward 11, Ibogun, Ifo Local Government Area, and had declared her intention to contest the Ogun governorship before stepping down from the party.
Her political career includes serving as Ogun State Commissioner for Health from 2003 to 2007 and representing Ogun Central in the Senate between 2007 and 2011. After her 2011 re-election loss, she relocated to the United States and stayed largely away from partisan politics until her recent return.
