Iyabo Obasanjo Prioritizes Governance and Substance in Ogun Leadership Race

Abeokuta, Ogun State — Senator (Prof.) Iyabo Obasanjo, a leading governorship aspirant for the 2027 elections, has hit back at critics focusing on her personal style, urging a shift in political discourse from “outward appearance” to leadership competence and economic solutions.

​Speaking on Monday during a current affairs program on Paramount 94.5 FM in Abeokuta, the Professor of Epidemiology and former Senator for Ogun Central dismissed recent public commentary regarding her simple dressing style. She argued that the state’s pressing challenges—hunger, unemployment, and a struggling education sector—should take precedence over “showmanship.”

​“What I wear and how I dress will not put food on the table for Ogun people,” Obasanjo stated. “The real issue should be about what I can do to create opportunities, improve livelihoods, and move the state forward.”

​The Senator’s remarks come at a pivotal moment in her political trajectory. Earlier this month, Obasanjo formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), registering at Ibogun, Ward 11, in the Ifo Local Government Area.

​Her move into the ruling party—and her subsequent praise for federal initiatives like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road—signals a strategic alignment with the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu, despite the historically complex relationship between the President and her father, former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

​During the broadcast, Prof. Obasanjo outlined a vision centered on substance over style, identifying two critical pillars for Ogun State’s growth:

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​1.Entrepreneurship & Vocational Skills: She proposed a government-backed support system to translate the energy of the youth into productive, self-reliant ventures.

​2.Investment in Education: Described as the “foundation of any development agenda,” she called for a revitalization of the sector alongside improvements in healthcare and agriculture.

Addressing those she described as “intimidated” by her rising endorsements, she maintained that her simplicity is a choice of focus. She emphasized that visionary leadership requires a commitment to inclusive growth rather than the “glamour” often associated with political campaigns.