Obasanjo-Bello Joins APC, Eyes Ogun 2027

ABEOKUTA – In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Gateway State’s political landscape, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has officially signaled her return to active politics.

​Confirming her membership in the All Progressives Congress (APC) earlier this week, the former Senator and Commissioner for Health has effectively ended years of political hiatus. Her entry into the ruling party is widely seen by analysts as the foundational step for a 2027 governorship bid, aiming to succeed the incumbent, Governor Dapo Abiodun.

​A New Chapter in the Obasanjo Legacy

​Iyabo’s return marks a significant shift in the state’s power dynamics. Having previously represented Ogun Central at the Senate under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), her migration to the APC aligns her with the “second-generation” political wave currently sweeping the country.

​”Her return isn’t just about a name; it’s about a seasoned administrator coming back to a field she knows intimately,” said a high-ranking APC chieftain in Abeokuta, who requested anonymity. “The dynamics of 2027 just became a lot more interesting.”

​The Road to 2027: Obstacles and Opportunities

​While her declaration has energized her supporters, the path to Oke-Mosan is far from clear. Obasanjo-Bello enters a party already bustling with high-stakes succession plans.

• ​The Zoning Debate: There is a growing, fierce clamor from the Ogun West Senatorial District, which argues that 2027 must be their turn to produce a governor, a feat they have never achieved since the state’s creation.
• ​The Incumbency Factor: As Governor Dapo Abiodun prepares to conclude his second term, his influence over the party structure will be pivotal in determining who clinches the APC ticket.
• ​The “Political Offspring” Narrative: Iyabo joins other prominent names like Seyi Tinubu in a trend of children of former leaders seeking high-level executive offices, a movement that has met with both curiosity and criticism from the electorate.

​From Health Commissioner to Governorship Hopeful

​Iyabo’s resume remains one of her strongest assets. As a former Commissioner for Health in Ogun State and later a Senator, she possesses a rare blend of executive and legislative experience. Her supporters point to her tenure in the Senate Health Committee as proof of her capacity to handle the state’s complex social and economic challenges.

ADVERTISEMENT

​However, critics are already revisiting past controversies, including her 2007 EFCC investigations, which she had previously dismissed as political blackmail.

​As the “Gateway State” prepares for a long and likely heated campaign season, the “Iyabo Factor” ensures that Ogun will remain the epicenter of Nigerian political discourse heading into 2027.