The political atmosphere in Ogun State is gradually heating up ahead of the 2027 general elections as the state chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has extended a public invitation to Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, daughter of former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, urging her to consider the party as a platform for her rumoured political comeback.
The development followed the sudden appearance of billboards and posters bearing her image and name in major parts of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The billboards, strategically mounted around Abiola Way, near the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, and the Brewery Junction, carried inscriptions in Yoruba reading:
“In Ogun State, we know ourselves. Senator (Prof.) Iyabo Obasanjo — Omo wa ni, eniyan wa ni, ara wa ni” (She is our daughter, our person, one of us).
Speaking to journalists in Abeokuta, the ADC State Chairman, Otunba Femi Soluade, confirmed that although the former lawmaker has not made any official contact with the party, the ADC would be glad to receive her.
“Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello is yet to make overtures to us. Nevertheless, we are waiting for her to talk to us. Opinions abound about the position she may be interested in ahead of 2027, but we are watching,” Soluade said.
While the senator has not publicly declared interest in any elective office, the ADC’s move is seen by political observers as a strategic masterstroke to attract a high-profile and well-respected figure capable of repositioning the party in Ogun’s crowded political landscape.
Iyabo Obasanjo’s Political and Academic Background
Born on April 27, 1967, Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello is the first daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Oluremi Obasanjo. A trained veterinarian, academic, and public health expert, she holds a PhD in Epidemiology from Cornell University, New York, and has taught at the College of William & Mary in the United States.
She began her political journey in the early 2000s, serving as Commissioner for Health in Ogun State under the administration of Governor Gbenga Daniel (2003–2007). In 2007, she was elected Senator for Ogun Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where she served until 2011. Her tenure was marked by active legislative engagement, especially on health and education reforms.
After losing her re-election bid in 2011, she shifted her focus to academia and public health consultancy, maintaining a relatively low political profile — until now, when rumours of her 2027 ambition have begun to swirl.
ADC’s Strategic Move Ahead of 2027
Political analysts say the ADC’s invitation to Iyabo Obasanjo is more than symbolic — it’s a strategic calculation aimed at energizing the party and positioning it as a serious contender in Ogun State, currently dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Her combination of technocratic expertise, public service experience, and family legacy makes her a formidable figure who could cut across party, gender, and generational lines.
“The ADC wants a big name to reshape its image and challenge the dominance of the APC and PDP,” says political commentator Ayo Banjoko. “Iyabo Obasanjo brings name recognition, intellect, and credibility — something the ADC desperately needs if it hopes to be taken seriously in 2027.”
The Ogun 2027 Chessboard: Heavyweights and Contenders
Ogun State’s 2027 governorship race is already attracting attention from powerful political figures, each seeking to consolidate influence across the state’s three senatorial zones — Ogun Central, Ogun East, and Ogun West.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), representing Ogun West, is seen as a leading contender under the APC banner. He enjoys grassroots support and represents a region that has never produced a governor in the state’s history — a fact often described as the “Ogun West jinx.” Many believe 2027 is the best opportunity for the zone to finally clinch the seat.
From the opposition, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, who was the PDP governorship candidate in 2023, is expected to make another attempt. Backed by a strong party structure and wealthy background, Adebutu remains a major force to watch, though the PDP’s declining strength in the state remains a concern.
At the federal level, two ministers from Ogun Central — Mr. Wale Edun, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy — have also been mentioned among possible aspirants. While both men are seen as technocrats, they have yet to make any political moves or declarations.
In the state government, Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, also from Ogun West, is another potential aspirant. Her ambition could hinge on whether Governor Dapo Abiodun supports her bid, or throws his weight behind Yayi, whose governorship dream is well known.
How Iyabo Obasanjo Fits In
Iyabo’s potential re-entry into politics could redraw the state’s political equation. With a solid base in Ogun Central, the same district as Wale Edun and Bosun Tijani, she would have to build strategic alliances across Ogun West and East to neutralize the zoning narrative favouring the Yewa-Awori bloc (Ogun West).
Her technocratic profile and reformist appeal could attract voters seeking a break from conventional political structures, while her Obasanjo heritage gives her instant visibility and moral capital. Analysts suggest that if she joins the ADC, she might first target a senatorial seat, rebuilding her grassroots machinery before eyeing the governorship in subsequent elections.
However, her biggest challenge would be transforming her elite appeal into mass political support. Ogun politics, like much of Nigeria’s, still runs on networks of patronage, local alliances, and financial muscle. While the Obasanjo name carries weight, victory in 2027 will require extensive grassroots mobilisation and coalition-building.
A New Face Of Ogun Politics?
If Iyabo accepts ADC’s offer, it could mark the most significant political comeback in Ogun in over a decade — and possibly ignite a broader gender and generational shift in the state’s political landscape.
Observers believe that a contest featuring Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, Solomon Adeola, and Ladi Adebutu would produce one of the most competitive elections in the state’s history — blending legacy, grassroots power, and technocratic credibility.
For now, the ball remains in her court. As Ogun’s 2027 political chessboard continues to evolve, all eyes are on the former president’s daughter — and whether she will choose to step back into the arena her father once dominated.
— Mohammed Bello Doka, Abuja Network News (abujanetworknews.com.ng)