Ogun 2027: Iyabo Obasanjo Confident of APC Governorship Ticket

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo has declared herself the “candidate to beat” in the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Ogun State.

The 59-year-old medical doctor and veteran politician, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed unwavering confidence that the party’s adoption of the consensus selection model will work in her favor due to her grassroots popularity and legislative track record.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, the former Ogun Central Senator dismissed fears that a consensus arrangement would lead to the imposition of unpopular candidates. Instead, she argued that the system is designed to identify “winnable” aspirants.

“The party will not choose people that open them for a loss; does that make sense?” she queried. “Consensus is going to come towards people that can actually win on the ground because at the end of the day, the party wants to win.”

Obasanjo maintained that her past performance—specifically her tenure as a Commissioner and later as a Senator—gives her an edge that the party leadership cannot ignore when seeking a formidable flagbearer.

Addressing the “Obasanjo Factor” in Ogun politics, the Senator clarified her relationship with her father, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, regarding her career moves. While she operates independently, she noted that family support is a “guarantee.

Senator Obasanjo pointed to her history of service as her primary campaign tool. She revealed that during her time in the Red Chamber, she channeled her official earnings back into developmental projects for her constituents—a move she believes has solidified her base in Ogun Central and beyond.

As the APC prepares for its National Convention on March 27 and 28, the party has already confirmed it will use the consensus approach for national leadership positions. Obasanjo’s vocal support for this method signals her readiness to navigate the party’s internal dynamics to secure the governorship slot.

With the New Electoral Act scrapping indirect primaries, the choice for the APC remains between direct primaries and consensus. By positioning herself as the most popular and “winable” option, Iyabo Obasanjo is effectively daring other aspirants to a popularity contest, whether at the ballot box or at the negotiation table.

Gistlife reports that her entrance into the race has significantly altered the political permutations in the Gateway State, as stakeholders weigh the impact of the Obasanjo legacy against the current power structures within the Ogun APC.