Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello has expressed confidence in her chances in the 2027 governorship race in Ogun State, saying her track record makes her “a formidable candidate to beat”.
The former senator made the remarks on Friday during an interview on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, where she spoke about her return to active politics, her governorship ambition and the support she expects from her family.
Obasanjo-Bello, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections, said she is confident her parents including former President Olusegun Obasanjo would vote for her.
“I am almost 60. At this age, many of my friends no longer have both parents alive, so I consider myself lucky,” she said.
“I don’t think at this stage I should be consulting them for every career move. What I can say is that my father and my mother will vote for me. Even if I don’t ask, they will vote for me that I can guarantee.”
She described her decision to join the APC as a personal political journey, adding that her father’s support was not in doubt.
Confidence in governorship bid
Obasanjo-Bello said her experience and political record give her confidence ahead of the 2027 race.
“I feel I am a formidable person to beat because of my track record, and so I am going to go for it,” she said.
“I have the same buy-in from the system that all the men have, but I believe I am a better candidate and more formidable than them, and I am going to win.”
Her declaration comes about 15 years after she served as senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011.
APC primary race
Speaking about her chances within the APC, Obasanjo-Bello said the party had so far provided a level playing field for aspirants seeking the governorship ticket.
Asked whether she had the backing of Governor Dapo Abiodun or the party’s state leadership, she said no candidate had been officially endorsed.
“The party has given a level playing field,” she said. “I don’t think anybody in the state has guaranteed anyone the ticket.”
She acknowledged that she must first secure the APC governorship ticket through the party’s primaries before contesting the 2027 election, when Abiodun is expected to complete his constitutionally permitted second term.
Return to politics
Obasanjo-Bello confirmed she formally joined the APC during the party’s ongoing e-registration exercise in Ibogun, Ward 11 in Ifo Local Government Area.
According to her, supporters had been urging her for about two years to return to politics.
She ruled out returning to the PDP because of its internal crisis and said she also considered the African Democratic Congress but was uncertain about the party’s readiness for the elections.
Following consultations with associates and supporters, she said she concluded that the APC was her “natural home”.
Political background
Obasanjo-Bello previously served as Commissioner for Health in Ogun State under former governor Gbenga Daniel before being elected senator in 2007.
She lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Gbenga Obadara of the Action Congress of Nigeria. After the defeat, she returned to the United States, where she pursued an academic career and later became a professor.
Ogun political landscape
The APC has dominated politics in Ogun State for about 15 years. Before Abiodun assumed office in 2019, Ibikunle Amosun served two terms as governor between 2011 and 2019.
Prior to that, the state was governed by the PDP under Daniel from 2003 to 2011.
Despite calls for greater female representation in politics, no woman has ever been elected governor of Ogun State.
However, women have served as deputy governors, including the current deputy governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele and Yetunde Onanuga, who held the position from 2015 to 2019.
Another woman seeking the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election is Modele Sarafa-Yusuf, a veteran journalist and former Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Abiodun.
