A governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Iyabo Obasanjo, has announced the suspension of her ambition to contest the 2027 election, following the emergence of Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obasanjo, who is the daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, made her decision known in a statement she personally signed on Monday. The announcement came shortly after a key APC caucus meeting held in Abeokuta, where party leaders adopted Adeola as their preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship race.
In her statement, Obasanjo congratulated Adeola on his emergence and wished him success in the journey ahead. She also expressed appreciation to both state and national leaders of the APC for giving her the opportunity to participate in the party’s internal process.
“I congratulate him and wish him every success,” she said. “I also thank the state and national leaders of our great party for the opportunity to participate in the nomination process.”
She added that her decision to step down was based on the outcome of the caucus meeting, where the party leadership reached a consensus on Adeola’s candidacy.
“Based on these developments, I have decided to suspend my gubernatorial aspiration,” she stated.
Obasanjo also took time to address her supporters across Ogun State, thanking them for their loyalty and calm conduct throughout her political journey so far.
“To my supporters across Ogun State, I am deeply grateful for your calm, steadfast support and unwavering trust throughout this journey. Together, we move forward with patience, strength and hope,” she added.
Her withdrawal is seen as a major boost for the APC’s effort to present a united front ahead of the 2027 election. Political analysts say such moves help reduce internal disputes that often arise during party primaries.
Senator Adeola, who currently represents Ogun West in the National Assembly, was adopted as the party’s consensus candidate during the meeting held at the APC secretariat in Abeokuta. The decision followed consultations among key party leaders and stakeholders.
The development is part of a wider strategy by the APC in Ogun State to manage succession plans early, as the current governor, Dapo Abiodun, is set to complete his second term in 2027 and cannot seek re-election due to constitutional limits.
In recent weeks, the issue of who will succeed Abiodun has gained attention within political circles in the state. Several aspirants were believed to be interested in the position, making the party’s decision to adopt a consensus candidate a significant turning point.
For Iyabo Obasanjo, the decision to step down may also reflect a desire to maintain unity within the party. As a prominent political figure and daughter of a former president, her participation in the race had attracted attention and raised expectations among her supporters.
Her withdrawal now shifts focus fully to Senator Adeola, who is widely regarded as an experienced politician. Before moving to Ogun politics, he had a long career representing Lagos West in the Senate, giving him national visibility and political experience.
Supporters of Adeola believe his emergence will strengthen the APC’s chances of retaining power in Ogun State. The party has remained dominant in the state since 2011, when it first took control of the government.
With the 2027 election still some time away, political activities are already gathering pace. The APC’s early endorsement of a candidate and the withdrawal of other aspirants like Obasanjo suggest that the party is keen on avoiding internal crises and presenting a united front.
Opposition parties in the state are also expected to begin their own preparations, as they look to challenge the APC’s dominance. Analysts say the coming months will be important in shaping the political landscape ahead of the election.
For now, Iyabo Obasanjo’s decision marks a key moment in the unfolding political story in Ogun State. Her move to step aside, while backing the party’s consensus candidate, highlights the importance of party unity as the race for 2027 gradually takes shape.