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.
She made the disclosure on Saturday during an interview with Nigerian football legend Segun Odegbami on 103.7FM Eagle7 Sports, which was monitored in Abeokuta.
The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo described the APC as her “natural home,” explaining that her decision to return to politics was influenced by sustained pressure from supporters.
“As I told you, a group of people whom I did not bring together, I did not form them into a group, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she said.
Iyabo Obasanjo explained that returning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which she last contested elections, was not an option due to the internal crises currently affecting the party.
She also disclosed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was considered, but expressed reservations about the party’s level of preparedness.
According to her, those who encouraged her return to politics are all members of the APC, a factor that significantly influenced her decision to join the ruling party. She added that she conducted extensive consultations before formally making the move.
“So, I think APC is my natural home. I don’t have any animosity towards any individual or any group within the APC. I feel comfortable with all the actors I know within the APC.
“I feel more comfortable, actually, than with some of the actors I know in the PDP, and some of them are now in the ADC. So I think it’s my natural home. I feel quite confident and happy to have made that decision.
“I have an absolute 100 per cent feeling it’s my natural home,” she said.
Although the APC is yet to issue an official statement, the development confirms her return to partisan politics ahead of the 2027 general elections in Ogun State, amid speculations in some quarters that she may join the governorship race.
There were reports that she participated in the ongoing APC e-registration exercise at Ibogun, Ward 11, in Ifo Local Government Area, formally sealing her membership of the party.
Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello 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 the defeat, she returned to the United States to pursue her academic career, eventually rising to the rank of professor.
