Daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s daughter, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has reportedly registered as a member of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, according to a former chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government.
It was gathered that the former senator representing Ogun Central completed her e-registration on Tuesday at Ibogun, Ward 11, Ifo Local Government Area of the state.
Hon. Biodun Ajayi, a former chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government and a close ally of Iyabo Obasanjo, who spoke to newsmen made the claim on Wednesday.
“I can confirm to you that Prof Iyabo Obasanjo on Tuesday at Ibogun Ward 11 of Ifo Local Government, completed her online registration as member of our great party, the All Progressives Congress,”
A former House of Representatives member from the area, who spoke anonymously, also confirmed Obasanjo’s registration at Ibogun, describing it as accurate.
The party’s Director of Publicity, Mr Femi Nuberu, neither denied nor confirmed Obasanjo’s registration but stressed that the ongoing membership drive is open to every Nigerian aged 18 and above.
Iyabo Obasanjo, an Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, United States, has in the past held political offices, including Commissioner for Health (2003–2007) and Senator representing Ogun Central (2007–2011).
Her campaign billboards surfaced in Abeokuta late last year, fuelling speculation about a possible return to politics for the 2027 elections.
The billboards bore the message: “In Ogun State, we know ourselves. Sen (Prof) Iyabo Obasanjo. Omo wa ni, eniyan wa ni, ara wa ni.”
Political observers had expected Obasanjo to either return to her former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, or join the African Democratic Congress.
A source close to the former senator, who asked to remain anonymous, said her decision reflects her independent political thinking.
Iyabo herself has previously acknowledged the campaign billboards in Abeokuta, saying they were erected by supporters and not an indication of active pursuit of office.
Speaking to Remo TV at the 70th birthday of Chief Mrs. Gloria Shoda, former National President of the National Council of Women Societies, she said, “There are some people who have worked with me in the past. They came together and said, ‘This is who we like.’ I told them to stop it—that I am living a good life. I live in the US, I teach at the university, and I am fine.
“However, people told me to let them be, after all, they are not asking me for money. They said it was a sign of love and that I did well while in politics.
“They said stopping them would dampen their enthusiasm. So I have allowed them. Nobody can say I am actively campaigning for anything, but I have given these people the go-ahead.”
She added that the renewed calls for her to return to politics reflect the principle that “if you do good, people will come back,” noting that any future political move rests with God and her supporters.