2027: My Father Will Vote For Me, I’m Formidable Candidate — Iyabo Obasanjo
Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello Confident Ahead Of Ogun 2027 Governorship Race
March 6, 2026
Former senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello has expressed confidence in her chances in the 2027 governorship race in Ogun State, declaring herself a strong contender for the position.
The 59-year-old politician made the remarks during an interview on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, where she discussed her return to politics, her governorship ambition, and the support she expects from her family.
Obasanjo-Bello, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections, said she is certain of receiving support from her parents, including her father, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo.
“I am almost 60; at this age, very few of my friends still have both parents alive, so I consider myself lucky,” she said. “I don’t think I should be consulting them for every career decision. What I know is that my father and mother will vote for me, and that is all I can ask for.”
She added that joining the APC was a personal decision, noting that she believes her experience and track record make her a formidable candidate in the upcoming race.
“I feel I am a formidable person to beat because of my track record, and I am going to go for it,” she said. “I have the same buy-in from the system that all the men have, but I believe I am a better and more formidable candidate, and I intend to win.”
Obasanjo-Bello previously served as senator representing Ogun Central between 2007 and 2011 and earlier worked as Commissioner for Health in the administration of former governor Gbenga Daniel.
She lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Gbenga Obadara of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and subsequently returned to the United States, where she continued her academic career and later became a professor.
Speaking about the APC primary process, Obasanjo-Bello said the party had so far provided a level playing field for aspirants seeking the governorship ticket. She noted that no candidate has been officially endorsed by the party leadership or by the current governor, Dapo Abiodun.
“The party has given a level playing field. I don’t see any indication that any candidate has been guaranteed the ticket,” she said.
She also confirmed that she formally joined the APC during the party’s ongoing e-registration exercise in Ibogun, Ward 11, in Ifo Local Government Area.
Obasanjo-Bello explained that her return to politics followed encouragement from supporters who had urged her for about two years to re-enter the political arena. She ruled out returning to the PDP due to its internal crisis and said she briefly considered the African Democratic Congress (ADC) before eventually settling for the APC, which she described as her “natural home.”
The APC currently holds significant political influence in Ogun State and has controlled the governorship for about 15 years, first under Ibikunle Amosun from 2011 to 2019 and currently under Governor Abiodun.
Despite increasing calls for greater female representation in politics, Ogun State has never elected a female governor. However, women have served as deputy governors, including the current deputy governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and Yetunde Onanuga, who served between 2015 and 2019.
Another female aspirant in the APC’s 2027 governorship race is Modele Sarafa-Yusuf, a veteran journalist and former Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Abiodun.