Professor Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing what she described as persistent disrespect, rejection and unfair treatment by the party’s leadership in Ogun State.
Her resignation was conveyed in a letter dated May 31, 2026, and addressed to the Ogun State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi.
Obasanjo, a former Ogun State Commissioner for Health and ex-senator representing Ogun Central, said her decision followed months of dissatisfaction with the party’s handling of its governorship selection process and its treatment of her and her supporters.
The former governorship aspirant particularly faulted the emergence of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola as the party’s consensus candidate, arguing that the process did not comply with APC guidelines on consensus arrangements.
According to her, she had publicly and privately pledged to support any candidate validly adopted through a consensus process. However, she claimed that she was neither consulted nor engaged before Adeola was announced as the party’s preferred candidate.
Obasanjo alleged that violence was directed at some of her supporters on the day of the stakeholders’ meeting where the announcement was made, yet she chose to remain calm and accept the outcome in the interest of party unity.
She also expressed disappointment that despite being one of the leading aspirants in the race and having campaigned extensively across Ogun State to mobilise support for the APC, her presence was allegedly ignored during the meeting.
The epidemiologist said she nevertheless accepted the decision and immediately issued a statement pledging support for Adeola’s candidacy.
She revealed that the senator subsequently reached out to her and later met with her supporters, during which they presented three requests and sought clarification on whether he would be willing to address them.
According to Obasanjo, Adeola promised to respond within a week but had yet to provide any feedback several months later.
She described the development as part of a broader pattern of disregard she had experienced since joining the ruling party.
“This is just part of the general treatment I have received from the APC of disrespect and rejection, as if I was not there making contributions that increased support for the party in Ogun Central and across the state,” she stated.
Announcing her departure from the APC, Obasanjo said she could no longer remain in an environment where her contributions were not appreciated.
“A famous person once said that when disrespect is the only dish served, one should leave the table. I am therefore leaving the APC table where I am not welcome. This is my resignation from the party,” she wrote.
Despite her grievances, Obasanjo expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, Chief Sanusi and Ogun Central APC leaders for the support and courtesies extended to her during her membership of the party.
She said she would always remain grateful to those who treated her with respect throughout her time in the APC.
