Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former Nigeria President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has advised the senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, to remain in the system he started with rather than becoming an “opportunist”.
She argued that Yayi having politicked in another state, coming into Ogun just to get the governorship seat wasn’t the best way to go.
Iyabo made the remark on Wednesday during a live discussion themed, ‘Political Hurdles Facing Nigerian Women, 2027 and Beyond’, on Frontline, Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese Ijebu, monitored by our correspondent in Abeokuta.
The former senator for Ogun Central noted that while there are no formal laws guiding rotation or zoning in Nigeria, she is however concerned that the Ogun West was yet to produce a governor and promised to push for the emergence of an Ogun West governor after her “tenure” as governor.
Iyabo has declared her intention to run for governor in Ogun State in 2027.
She said, “I’m not sure a candidate coming in to kind of just get the governorship is the best to go. What about the other people that have been in Yewa? I think that having a governor that actually politicked in another state is not the best way to go.
“We know ourselves and everybody from Yewa that has been in politics from the start. I don’t think that’s the best option for Yewa people. One of the good points I gave about the current governor is that he has been with us here from the beginning, everybody knows him.
“If everybody starts choosing which state is advantageous for them to win something, we would all mess up the political system. That is being an opportunist, you stay in the system to start with and you move on and move on there.
“Yes, I am one of the ones concerned just about the West never having a governor. The reason we have not had a governor from Ogun West cannot be blamed on Ogun Central, right? We’ve had — and the man (referring to a caller on the programme) mentioned the number of governors from Central — two of them. He did not mention the number from the East.
“We’ve had three from Ogun East. So, is Central to blame for the West? Personally, I was instructed to help late General Olurin when he became the PDP candidate. I walked, we went and strutted and took him around. It did not work.
“I’m sensitive to their cry, I understand and I know we need to make sure that the next governor after me is from the West and I’m sure. Yes after me, because I’m going to win.”
Iyabo expressed confidence in her capacity, stressing that she is not intimidated by other candidates who are also planning to run the gubernatorial race.
According to her, there is a need to bridge governance “gaps” in the state and make an impact on the lives of Ogun people.
“I believe the people will get to know our capacity. I think there is a difference in terms of somebody that has the presence and the ability. So we should look at it as candidates. But also, I believe that we will get somebody from the West.
“We have to organize to do it. And I think that I actually have the capacity to do that more than the person representing the West now because this person has never supported anybody from the West.
“I have actually supported somebody from the West. So you are coming out just for yourself and I am coming out because I’ve served the people.”
Recall that Iyabo, who recently returned to active politics after 15 years, joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and declared her intention to join the governorship race.
Iyabo represented Ogun Central Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011 and lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Senator Gbenga Obadara of the then Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.
