PDP Receives Former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo After Exit from APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State on Wednesday officially welcomed former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo into its fold following her resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Iyabo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, represented Ogun Central Senatorial District in the Senate between 2007 and 2011.

She lost her re-election bid in 2011 and subsequently relocated to the United States, where she pursued a career in academia.

The former senator returned to active politics in January this year after a 15-year hiatus and joined the APC, declaring her intention to contest the governorship election.

However, she resigned from the party on May 31 after losing the governorship ticket, citing alleged disrespect, betrayal and unfair treatment by the party leadership.

DAILY POST reports that Senator Obasanjo was formally received into the PDP during a rally held at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

Speaking at the event, the Ogun State Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Abayomi Tella, presented the party flag to the former senator and announced her as the party’s candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District in the next election.

“On behalf of our National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, and the entire National Working Committee of the PDP, I, Abayomi Tella, PhD, the State Chairman of the PDP, and on behalf of PDP Ogun Central, present to our revered sister, Prof. Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, this flag as the authority of the party for her candidature for the Senate in Ogun Central,” Tella said.

Taking the party’s oath, Obasanjo pledged her loyalty to the PDP and its ideals.

“I commit myself to the ideals of the PDP. I shall serve the people of Ogun State and Nigeria with integrity, humility and dedication, prioritising their welfare above personal and sectional interests,” she said.

The former lawmaker expressed confidence in her electoral prospects, maintaining that she remains a formidable contender and one of the most accomplished representatives of Ogun Central.

Also speaking at the rally, PDP governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, promised to strengthen local government administration if elected governor.

He pledged to implement local government autonomy and ensure transparency in the management of public funds.

“I, Oladipupo, son of Adebutu, won’t steal your money. Local governments will get their funds accordingly, and we shall be transparent in all our dealings,” he said.

The event attracted party leaders, supporters and stakeholders from across the state as the PDP intensified preparations ahead of future elections.