APC chieftain dismisses Iyabo Obasanjo’s exit, backs Yayi’s 2027 governorship bid

APC chieftain dismisses Iyabo Obasanjo’s exit, backs Yayi’s 2027 governorship bid

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State and Convener of the Ogun West Initiative, Bolaji Adeniji, has downplayed the resignation of former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo from the ruling party.

Adeniji described her departure as having no impact on the APC’s prospects in the 2027 governorship election.

Speaking during a media briefing in Abeokuta on Wednesday, Adeniji said the exit of the former lawmaker would not affect the chances of the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.

Iyabo Obasanjo recently resigned from the APC after failing to secure the party’s governorship ticket. She had accused the party leadership of subjecting her to rejection, disrespect and unfair treatment.

Reacting to her resignation, Adeniji argued that the former senator had not made significant contributions to the growth or success of the APC in Ogun State.

He questioned how someone who, according to him, had remained politically inactive for more than 15 years and joined the APC less than six months ago could expect to secure the party’s governorship ticket ahead of long-standing members who had invested their time and resources in building the party.

“Sen Iyabo Obasanjo’s exit from the APC is inconsequential. She has no investment in the party, no stake in its growth, and no contribution to its electoral goodwill; therefore, her departure changes nothing and will not in any measure affect the fortunes of Yayi and the APC,” he said.

“The party remains strong, united, and focused on victory. The progressive party will not be treated as an emergency platform of convenience to pursue self-seeking ideologies at the expense of patriots who have laboured to build it and delivered good to the people,” Adeniji added.

The APC stalwart also defended the emergence of Yayi as the party’s governorship candidate, describing the primary election process as transparent, peaceful and historic.

According to him, Adeola enjoyed broad support from party stakeholders across the state, including Governor Dapo Abiodun, former governors, deputy governors, lawmakers and other influential party leaders.

“Yayi was overwhelmingly adopted as the consensus governorship candidate of the party. He was subsequently returned as the party’s flagbearer with 304,055 votes, while his only challenger, Abayomi Hunye, polled zero votes. This is unprecedented and historic,” he said.

Adeniji criticised Hunye for challenging the outcome of the primary election in court, insisting that the legal action lacked merit.

“It is unfortunate that Hunye, who has no structure in any ward in the state and cannot lay claim to any following within the rank and file of the party, will claim to have been cheated in the primaries,” he said.

He urged the aggrieved aspirant to return to the party and work for its success in the 2027 election.

He also dismissed suggestions that the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, posed a serious threat to Adeola’s chances at the polls.

He accused political opponents of reviving debates over Yayi’s indigeneship to gain political advantage, insisting that the issue had long been resolved.

“Yayi is a genuine son of Yewa, Ogun State. Anyone who refuses to engage him on policy and programmes but instead clings to stale allegations is merely dancing naked in the city square,” Adeniji said.

Describing Yayi as the most popular governorship contender in the state, he called on residents to support his aspiration.

“Yayi represents competence, vision and progress. His popularity and statewide acceptability are not manufactured; they were earned through years of service, dedication and results,” he stated.

Adeniji expressed confidence that the APC would retain power in Ogun State in 2027, saying the party remained united and determined to build on its achievements in government.