Iyabo Obasanjo Vows To Win Ogun State Governorship
Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has officially thrown her hat into the race for Ogun State governor, expressing confidence in her ability to win.
Speaking on Wednesday during the “Frontline” programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Obasanjo said, “I’m going to win,” signaling her return to active politics after a 15-year break. She recently joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and announced her intention to contest the governorship election.
Obasanjo previously served as senator for Ogun Central from 2007 to 2011. She also held the position of Ogun State Commissioner for Health and is a respected epidemiologist. After losing her 2011 re-election to Senator Gbenga Obadara of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), she returned to the United States to focus on academia, eventually attaining the rank of professor.
On the radio show, Obasanjo said her campaign is centered on bridging governance gaps and improving the lives of Ogun citizens. “The position I’m going to run for is governor, and I believe it fits the skills I bring to the table. As Ogun citizens, I hope that when I’m governor, I will touch your life either directly or indirectly in a way that will improve your lives,” she stated.
She addressed concerns over the call for power to shift to Ogun West, noting that although the region has not produced a governor in 50 years, constitutional law does not mandate power rotation. Highlighting the distribution of past governors, she said, “We’ve had three from Ogun East and two from Ogun Central. So, is Central to blame for West? Personally, I assisted late General Olurin during his PDP candidacy, but it did not work.”
On gender politics, Obasanjo said she will not leverage her gender in the campaign, but pledged to support the rise of an Ogun West governor after her term. “Yes, after me, because I’m going to win,” she affirmed.
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, she cited limited campaign time and resources as obstacles, but expressed confidence in voters’ judgment. “Time is a disadvantage because I came in a little late. I don’t think money makes elections. I believe that people are good people, and they know who will do right by them,” she said.
Obasanjo also addressed her chances of securing the APC ticket against other prominent party members, saying, “Everybody is politicking. There is no reason why I shouldn’t be out there politicking with them if I want the post. Is it 100%? It’s not 100% for anybody, and it’s not 100% for me. But I will do everything I can to make sure I’m the candidate.”
