Former Ogun Central Senator and daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress, citing alleged marginalisation, exclusion and persistent disrespect by the party leadership in Ogun State.
Obasanjo-Bello announced her resignation in a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi.
The former lawmaker, who recently sought the party’s governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 elections, expressed dissatisfaction with the process that produced Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the APC’s consensus governorship candidate.
According to her, while she had pledged to support any candidate that emerged through a consensus arrangement, she was neither consulted nor involved in the process that led to Adeola’s emergence.
She also alleged that some of her supporters were denied access to the venue where the candidate was unveiled and were subjected to intimidation.
Despite her reservations, Obasanjo-Bello said she accepted the outcome in the interest of party unity and publicly congratulated Adeola shortly after he emerged as the party’s candidate.
The former senator disclosed that Adeola later requested a meeting with her supporters, during which several issues were raised and assurances were reportedly given that feedback would be provided within a week.
However, she lamented that more than two months after the meeting, no response had been received, a development she described as part of a wider pattern of disregard for her contributions and political standing within the party.
She stated that the treatment meted out to her reflected continued rejection and lack of respect, adding that she could no longer remain in a political environment where she felt unwanted.
Obasanjo-Bello, however, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the Ogun APC leadership and party stakeholders in Ogun Central for the support and courtesies extended to her during her time in the party.
The former senator returned to partisan politics earlier this year after registering as a member of the APC in Ward 11, Ibogun, in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Before her return, she had spent several years away from active politics following the end of her tenure as senator representing Ogun Central in 2011.
Obasanjo-Bello previously served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health between 2003 and 2007 before winning election to the Senate, where she represented Ogun Central from 2007 to 2011.
Her political comeback became evident in late 2025 when campaign billboards bearing her image surfaced across parts of Abeokuta, fuelling speculation about her governorship ambition.
She subsequently declared her intention to contest the Ogun governorship election under the APC before eventually withdrawing from the party.
Her resignation is expected to generate fresh political discussions in Ogun State as preparations for the 2027 elections gradually gather momentum.