Fatimah Otunsanya
The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has joined the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun State.
It was gathered that the former senator of Ogun Central completed her e-registration on Tuesday at Ibogun, Ward 11, Ifo Local Government Area of the state.
Confirming the development on Wednesday, Biodun Ajayi, former Chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government and a close ally of Prof. Obasanjo, told Vanguard that the registration was successfully concluded.
Ajayi, who currently serves as a Commissioner with the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, said: “I can confirm to you 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.”
The party’s Director of Publicity, Mr Femi Nuberu, neither denied nor confirmed Obasanjo’s registration but stressed that the ongoing membership drive is open to every Nigerian aged 18 and above.
Obasanjo, an Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, has in the past held political offices, including Commissioner for Health (2003–2007) and Senator representing Ogun Central (2007–2011).
Her campaign billboards surfaced in Abeokuta late last year, fuelling speculation about a possible return to politics for the 2027 elections.
The billboards bore the message: “In Ogun State, we know ourselves. Sen (Prof) Iyabo Obasanjo. Omo wa ni, eniyan wa ni, ara wa ni.”
Political observers had expected Obasanjo to either return to her former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, or join the African Democratic Congress.
Last year, the Ogun State ADC Chairman, Otunba Femi Soluade, said the party was open to receiving her if she reached out.
Analysts note that Obasanjo’s move to the ruling party may come as a surprise given her father’s perceived distance from the APC—he had supported Peter Obi of the Labour Party during the 2023 presidential election.
A source close to the former senator, who asked to remain anonymous, said her decision reflects her independent political thinking.
Obasanjo herself has previously acknowledged the campaign billboards in Abeokuta, saying they were erected by supporters and not an indication of active pursuit of office.