Ogun APC Ticket: Iyabo Obasanjo Banks on Grassroots Popularity

ABEOKUTA, March 26, 2026—Iyabo Obasanjo, a governorship aspirant on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform in Ogun State, has declared unwavering confidence in clinching the party’s ticket for the 2027 polls, crediting her edge to genuine grassroots appeal rather than cash handouts.

In a candid interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today Thursday, the former senator and ex-commissioner for health under Governor Ibikunle Amosun dismissed rivals’ strategies, highlighting her early declaration and direct voter engagement as key advantages. “For me, it’s a clear advantage. I’m very confident of my popularity on the ground—it’s not bought with money but earned through my performance as health commissioner and senator,” Obasanjo asserted.

Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, represented Ogun Central Senatorial District from 2003 to 2007, a tenure locals still praise for constituency projects like health outreaches and market interventions. “Ask anyone in the marketplace or on the street—they’ll tell you I performed the best,” she boasted, urging skeptics to verify with everyday folks in her district.

Her optimism stems partly from APC’s anticipated consensus model for primaries, a tactic the party has leaned on in Ogun to avoid fractious direct contests. Recent reports from Vanguard indicate Ogun APC stakeholders, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, favor this approach to present a united front against opposition like the PDP. Obasanjo argued it aligns perfectly with popular will: “Consensus doesn’t ignore the people; it amplifies their voice. No party risks defeat by picking the least popular candidate—it’ll alienate strong contenders and hand victory to rivals.”

She contrasted her campaign hustle with quieter rivals, many of whom haven’t hit the streets. “Others hint at running but haven’t declared or engaged communities like I have,” she noted. Online searches reveal a crowded field: Abiodun allies like Commissioner Tokunbo Talabi and House of Reps member Adegboyega Isiaka are speculated frontrunners, per Punch NG, while Obasanjo’s camp pushes her as the anti-establishment voice with broad appeal across Ogun’s divisions.

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Obasanjo’s pitch resonates amid Ogun’s political chessboard, where APC seeks to retain power post-Abiodun’s potential two-term limit. Premium Times reports party elders are screening aspirants quietly, with consensus talks intensifying ahead of INEC’s timelines. “The party wants winners, not losers. Consensus will gravitate to those who can deliver on election day,” she predicted.

As declarations trickle in—Obasanjo’s coming earlier than most—her strategy bets on performance legacy over deep pockets, positioning her as a winnable bet in a state where voter fatigue with “godfatherism” simmers.