Senator Iyabo Obasanjo has alleged that she was excluded from the All Progressives Congress (APC) process in Ogun State despite supporting the party’s consensus arrangement that produced Senator Solomon Adeola as governorship candidate.
In a statement on Thursday, she said, “Consensus must mean inclusion.”
She added, “Throughout my consultations ahead of the Ogun State governorship primaries under the All Progressives Congress, I consistently advocated for a consensus approach as a means of fostering unity and avoiding divisive primaries.”
Iyabo said her position was guided by a desire to strengthen the party, noting that she aligned with leaders and stakeholders who promoted consensus.
However, she expressed concern about how the process was handled, stating, “It is therefore deeply concerning that despite my clear and public support for the consensus arrangement, I have found myself excluded from the final outcome.”
She warned that consensus should not be used to sideline aspirants, adding, “Consensus, by its very nature, must be inclusive, transparent, and fair to all stakeholders.”
Iyabo also said, “It must not be reduced to a tool for exclusion or predetermined outcomes that do not reflect the collective will of the party.”
She called on party leaders to ensure fairness and unity, stressing that internal processes must reflect the principles of justice and equal opportunity.
The All Progressives Congress in Ogun State had adopted Adeola as its consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election following a stakeholders’ meeting attended by key party figures.
Iyabo, who had earlier declared interest in the race after joining the APC, later suspended her ambition following the emergence of Adeola and pledged support for party unity.
The development reflects ongoing internal negotiations within the APC in Ogun State as the party prepares for the next governorship election, with consensus arrangements often used to manage competing interests among aspirants.
