Iyabo Obasanjo dumps APC

A former Ogun Central senator and daughter of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress, alleging persistent disrespect, rejection and unfair treatment by the party’s leadership in Ogun State. Obasanjo, who recently contested for the APC governorship ticket in Ogun State, announced her resignation in a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the state APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent on Monday. The United States-based Associate Professor of Epidemiology criticised the consensus process that produced Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi) as the party’s governorship candidate, describing it as inconsistent with the APC’s guidelines. According to her, although she had pledged to abide by any consensus arrangement adopted by the party, she was neither consulted nor involved in the process before Adeola was announced as the consensus candidate. She also alleged that some of her supporters were prevented from entering the venue where the candidate was unveiled and were subjected to intimidation. Despite her reservations, Obasanjo said she accepted the party’s decision in the interest of unity and publicly congratulated Adeola on the night of his emergence. She disclosed that the senator later contacted her and requested a meeting with her supporters, during which three requests were presented to him. According to her, Adeola promised to respond within a week, but more than two months later, no feedback had been received. Obasanjo said the development reflected a broader pattern of disregard for her contributions to the party. Related News NDC declares party supremacy, approves code of conduct committee ADC steps up mobilisation with door-to-door campaign Ogun needs governor who understands public finance — W’Bank consultant She stated, “I agreed to support whichever candidate emerged through a consensus process, but I was not consulted before Senator Adeola was presented as the consensus candidate. Some of my supporters were denied access to the venue and intimidated. Nevertheless, I accepted the outcome in the interest of party unity and publicly congratulated Senator Adeola that same night. “Following his emergence, Senator Adeola requested a meeting with my supporters. During that meeting, three requests were made and he promised to respond within one week. More than two months later, no response has been received. “The treatment I have received since then has reflected a consistent pattern of rejection and disrespect. When disrespect is the only dish se