The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has officially welcomed former senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello back into its ranks and presented her with the party’s ticket for the Ogun Central Senatorial District ahead of the next general election.

The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo represented Ogun Central in the Senate from 2007 to 2011 before leaving active politics and relocating to the United States to pursue an academic career.

After a 15-year political hiatus, Obasanjo-Bello returned to partisan politics earlier this year, initially joining the All Progressives Congress and seeking its governorship ticket. However, she resigned from the party on May 31 after failing to secure the nomination and subsequently rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party.

She was formally received at a rally held at the PDP secretariat in Abeokuta, attended by supporters, party leaders, and the party’s governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu.

Presenting the party flag, Ogun PDP Chairman, Dr. Abayomi Tella, officially announced Obasanjo-Bello as the party’s senatorial candidate for Ogun Central.

“On behalf of our National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, and the entire National Working Committee of the PDP, I present to our revered sister, Prof. Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, this flag as the authority of the party for her candidature for the Senate in Ogun Central,” Tella said.

Taking the party oath, Obasanjo-Bello pledged loyalty to the PDP and promised to serve with integrity and commitment.

“I commit myself to the ideals of the PDP. I shall serve the people of Ogun State and Nigeria with integrity, humility, and dedication, prioritising their welfare above personal and sectional interests,” she stated.

The former senator said her exit from the APC was prompted by what she described as disrespect, betrayal, and unfair treatment by party leaders, some of whom she claimed to have supported politically in the past.

She also expressed confidence in her chances at the polls, describing herself as the candidate to beat and maintaining that she remains the best person to have represented Ogun Central in the Senate.

Speaking at the rally, Adebutu promised transparent governance if elected governor, pledging to strengthen local government autonomy and ensure prudent management of public funds.

“I, Oladipupo, son of Adebutu, won’t steal your money. Local governments will get their funds accordingly, and we shall be transparent in all our dealings,” he said.

The event highlighted the PDP’s ongoing efforts to consolidate its support base and strengthen its position in Ogun State ahead of the upcoming elections.