PDP wishes Iyabo Obasanjo ‘well’ over registration with APC

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Wednesday, said it wished Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, well following reports of her registration as a member of the All Progressives Congress.

Obasanjo-Bello, a former commissioner and senator under the PDP platform, reportedly completed her online registration at Ibogun, Ward 11 of Ifo Local Government Area.

Reacting to the development, PDP Ogun State Publicity Secretary, Kayode Adebayo, told The Punch: “We wish her well.”

A close ally of Obasanjo-Bello, Biodun Ajayi, who is a commissioner in the State Universal Basic Education Board, confirmed the registration, stating, “I can confirm to you that Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo on Tuesday at Ibogun Ward 11 of Ifo Local Government completed her online registration as member of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.”

When contacted for reaction, APC Ogun State Director of Publicity Femi Nuberu neither denied nor confirmed the registration but emphasised the party’s ongoing membership exercise is open to all Nigerians aged 18 and above. He said:

“Our primary focus at this time is the successful and inclusive conduct of this nationwide exercise, rather than on the individual status of any specific registrant. All registration activities are domiciled at the ward level, and it is the responsibility of the designated ward registration officials to manage and authenticate the process for all new members within their jurisdiction.

“We are greatly encouraged by the significant influx of new members into our fold in Ogun State. This trend serves as a clear testament to the widespread approval and positive reception of the APC-led administration’s policies and performance, both at the federal level under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and at the state level under the diligent leadership of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun. The APC in Ogun State remains committed to providing a robust platform for all members, old and new, to contribute to the progressive development of our dear state and the nation.”

A former House of Representatives member, who preferred anonymity, also confirmed Obasanjo-Bello’s registration: “Yes, it is true, she did registration at Ibogun yesterday; I am aware of that.”

The development has surprised many political observers, who had speculated that Obasanjo-Bello would either return to the PDP or join the African Democratic Congress.

Last year, campaign billboards bearing her image surfaced across Abeokuta, fuelling speculation about her political future. The billboards carried the message:

“In Ogun State, we know ourselves. Sen (Prof) Iyabo Obasanjo. Omo wa ni, eniyan wa ni, ara wa ni.”

A prominent political source had suggested that she might join the ADC to contest the Ogun Central senatorial seat, noting that her father had supported ADC in the 2019 elections.

Ogun State ADC Chairman, Otunba Femi Soluade, said last year:“We have also heard the possibility of Senator Iyabo Obasanjo joining us, but she has not contacted the party. We are eagerly waiting for her. Once she reaches out, we will hold discussions and chart the way forward.”

A source close to Obasanjo-Bello, however, stated that her decision to register with the APC “only has a lot to say that the former President’s daughter has her own independent mind, regardless of her father’s influence and what anybody may say or think.”

Speaking during the 70th birthday celebration of Chief Mrs. Gloria Shoda in Sagamu, Obasanjo-Bello explained that she had left politics but her supporters were urging her to return.

“There are some people who have worked with me in the past. They came together and said, ‘This is who we like.’ I told them to stop it—that I am living a good life. I live in the US, I teach at the university, and I am fine. However, people told me to let them be; after all, they are not asking me for money. They said it was a sign of love and that I did well while in politics. So I have allowed them. Nobody can say I am actively campaigning for anything, but I have given these people the go-ahead.”

She also reflected on the renewed calls for her political return:“If we do good, people will come back and we still want you for something. Whether what they want now becomes reality is not in my hands but in their hands and God’s hand.”

Born on April 27, 1967, Obasanjo-Bello trained as a veterinary doctor at the University of Ibadan. She served as Commissioner for Health between 2003 and 2007 and represented Ogun Central in the Senate from 2007 to 2011. She lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Gbenga Obadara of the Action Congress of Nigeria and subsequently returned to the United States.

Her recent registration with the APC, coupled with campaign billboards in Abeokuta, has reignited speculation about a possible contest in 2027, likely for the Ogun Central senatorial seat.