Former Ogun Central Senator and daughter of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Iyabo Obasanjo, has resigned her membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing what she described as persistent disrespect, rejection, and unfair treatment by the party's leadership in Ogun State.
Obasanjo announced her resignation in a letter dated May 31, 2026, and addressed to Ogun APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, explaining that recent events surrounding the party's governorship selection process convinced her that she was no longer valued within the ruling party.
The former lawmaker, who recently sought the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 Ogun State election, criticized the consensus arrangement that produced Senator Solomon Adeola as the party's candidate, arguing that the process fell short of the APC's established guidelines for consensus selections.
According to Obasanjo, although she publicly and privately pledged to support any candidate who emerged through a legitimate consensus process, she was neither consulted nor involved before Adeola was announced as the consensus candidate, despite being one of the leading aspirants in the race.
She further alleged that some of her supporters were denied access to the venue where the candidate was unveiled and faced intimidation during the process, a development she said contradicted the spirit of inclusion and fairness expected in internal party affairs.
Despite her dissatisfaction with the process, Obasanjo said she chose to accept the outcome in the interest of party unity and immediately issued a statement congratulating Adeola on his emergence as the party's candidate.
She disclosed that Adeola later requested a meeting with her and her supporters, during which three requests were presented to him, and although he promised to provide feedback within one week, she claimed no response had been received more than two months later.
The former senator stated that the lack of communication was part of a broader pattern of neglect and disregard that she experienced within the party, despite what she described as her efforts to strengthen APC support across Ogun Central and other parts of the state.
In her resignation letter, Obasanjo said the treatment she received convinced her that she was no longer welcome within the party, adding that remaining in such an environment would be inconsistent with her principles and political values.
While announcing her departure, she nevertheless expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Ogun APC Chairman Yemi Sanusi, and members of the Ogun Central senatorial leadership for the support and courtesy they extended to her during her time in the party.
Obasanjo only returned to active partisan politics earlier this year after registering as an APC member in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State before declaring her governorship ambition, making her resignation one of the most notable political exits from the party in the state ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
Political observers believe the development could further reshape alignments within Ogun politics as preparations gradually intensify for the next governorship election, particularly given Obasanjo's political profile and influence within parts of the state.