Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has declared her intention to contest the Ogun State governorship election, stating that she is confident of victory.
Speaking on Wednesday during an appearance on “Frontline,” an interactive programme on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, Mrs. Obasanjo said, “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 added, “Yes, after me, because I’m going to win.”
Obasanjo recently returned to active politics after 15 years and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
She previously represented Ogun Central Senatorial District from 2007 to 2011.
She lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Gbenga Obadara of the then Action Congress of Nigeria.
After leaving office, she returned to the United States to continue her academic career and became a professor. She also served as Ogun State commissioner for health.
Addressing agitation for power shift to Ogun West, Obasanjo said the region had not produced a governor since the creation of the state but maintained that power rotation is not provided for in the constitution.
“The reason we have not had a governor from Ogun West cannot be blamed on Ogun Central,” she said, noting that Ogun Central and Ogun East had produced governors in the past.
She said she was instructed to support the late General Olurin when he became the PDP candidate, but the effort did not succeed.
On whether she would use gender as a campaign factor, Obasanjo said she would not rely on it. “I try not to use gender in this because I know the sentiment for people in the West in terms of this is very high, and I am very sensitive to their cry and I understand it,” she said.
She, however, pledged to support the emergence of a governor from Ogun West after her tenure if elected.
Obasanjo identified timing and funding as challenges in her bid. “So, I’m coming in with two disadvantages, as I see it. Time, because I came in a little late,” she said.
She added that she does not believe money determines elections and expressed confidence in her chances of securing the APC ticket.
Days before her declaration, the Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State Akintunde Akinyemi hosted her at his palace.
The monarch said women should be given more space in political leadership and noted that Obasanjo has the right to contest for governor.
He referenced notable women from the state and said her ambition is within her civil rights as a Nigerian citizen.
Iyabo Obasanjo was accompanied during the visit by APC chieftain Pastor Abiodun Ajayi and Engr. Oluwatoyin Jokosenumi, the Bada of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta.
