By Ayomide Otitoju
A former member of the National Assembly, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, has confirmed her membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, marking her return to active politics after about 15 years.
Obasanjo-Bello disclosed this on Saturday during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Segun Odegbami, on 103.7FM Eagle7 Sports, monitored in Abeokuta. The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo described the APC as her “natural home.”
Explaining her decision, the former senator said she was persuaded to return to politics by sustained pressure from supporters who had been mobilising independently for nearly two years.
“As I told you, a group of people whom I did not bring together and did not form have been working, I think, for two years now. They started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘We think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she said.
Obasanjo-Bello noted that a return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which she last contested elections, was not an option due to the party’s ongoing internal crises. She added that while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was considered, she had reservations about the party’s level of preparedness.
According to her, the fact that those encouraging her political comeback are members of the APC also influenced her decision to join the ruling party, following what she described as extensive consultations.
“I think APC is my natural home. I don’t have any animosity towards any individual or group within the APC. I feel comfortable with all the actors I know within the APC,” she said, adding that she felt more at ease in the APC than with some political actors she knew in the PDP and ADC.
Although the APC is yet to issue an official statement on her defection, the development comes ahead of the 2027 general elections in Ogun State, with speculations that she may seek the governorship ticket.
Reports indicate that Obasanjo-Bello recently participated in the APC’s ongoing e-registration exercise at Ibogun, Ward 11, in Ifo Local Government Area, formally sealing her membership of the party.
She represented the Ogun Central Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011, after previously serving as Commissioner for Health under former Governor Gbenga Daniel. She lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Senator Gbenga Obadara of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Following her defeat, Obasanjo-Bello relocated to the United States, where she pursued an academic career and rose to the rank of professor.
