The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State.
The former Senator representing Ogun Central reportedly completed her e-registration into the ruling party on Tuesday at Ibogun, Ward 11, in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.
Confirming the development on Wednesday, a close ally of Prof. Obasanjo and former Chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government, Mr. Biodun Ajayi, said the registration exercise was successfully concluded.
Ajayi, who currently serves as a Commissioner with the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), stated: “I can confirm that Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo completed her online registration as a member of our great party, the APC, on Tuesday at Ibogun Ward 11 in Ifo Local Government Area.”
However, when contacted, the Ogun State Director of Publicity of the APC, Mr. Femi Nuberu, neither confirmed nor denied the report. He noted that the party had observed heightened public interest following the ongoing membership registration exercise across the state.
Nuberu emphasized that the APC registration process is open, free and accessible to all eligible Nigerians aged 18 years and above, in line with the party’s constitution.
“Our focus at this time is the successful and inclusive conduct of the membership registration exercise nationwide, rather than the status of any individual registrant,” he said.
“All registration activities are handled at the ward level by designated officials responsible for managing and authenticating new members.”
He added that the party was encouraged by the influx of new members in Ogun State, describing it as a vote of confidence in the APC-led administrations at the federal and state levels.
“The growing membership reflects public confidence in the policies and performance of the APC under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun,” Nuberu stated.
A former member of the House of Representatives from the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the development. “Yes, it is true. She registered at Ibogun on Tuesday,” the source said.
The development has surprised many political observers who had speculated that the former senator might return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Towards the end of 2025, campaign-style billboards bearing Prof. Obasanjo’s image appeared across parts of Abeokuta, fuelling speculation about her possible return to active politics ahead of the 2027 general elections. The billboards read: “In Ogun State, we know ourselves. Sen. (Prof.) Iyabo Obasanjo. Omo wa ni, eniyan wa ni, ara wa ni.”
Earlier reports had suggested that she might consider joining the ADC, a party openly supported by former President Olusegun Obasanjo during the 2019 general elections. The Ogun State Chairman of the ADC, Otunba Femi Soluade, had also said the party was open to welcoming her, though no formal contact was made.
Political analysts had further ruled out the APC option, citing former President Obasanjo’s public support for Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in the 2023 elections.
However, a source close to the former senator said her decision reflected her political independence. “She has her own mind, irrespective of her father’s political stance or public opinion,” the source said.
Prof. Obasanjo, now an Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, had previously acknowledged awareness of the billboards, explaining that they were mounted by her supporters.
Speaking during an interview with Remo TV in Sagamu at the 70th birthday celebration of former National President of the National Council of Women Societies, Chief Mrs. Gloria Shoda, she said she was not actively seeking any elective office.
“I am not keen on contesting for any political office in 2027. I live in the United States, I teach at the university, and I am fine,” she said, adding that her supporters acted out of appreciation for her past service.
Born on April 27, 1967, Prof. Obasanjo studied Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ibadan. She served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health from 2003 to 2007 and as Senator representing Ogun Central from 2007 to 2011.
She lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Senator Gbenga Obadara of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and subsequently returned to the United States.
The latest development has reignited speculation about a possible Ogun Central senatorial contest ahead of the 2027 general elections.
