Former senator representing Ogun Central, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has ruled out a return to the Senate, declaring instead that her political ambition is now focused on a possible bid for the Ogun State governorship.

Obasanjo, the daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, made this known on Saturday during an interview on Eagle7 Sports Radio 103.7FM, where she also confirmed her return to active partisan politics and recent membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

She said she had no intention of returning to the National Assembly or accepting a commissioner-level appointment, stressing that the governorship remains her sole political objective.

“I’m not going to be a commissioner, and I’m not going back to the Senate. As the Americans would say, there’s no need,” she said.

“When this started, I told my associates that the only thing I would come back to do is the governorship. We have started that journey, and we are determined to see it through.”

The former Ogun State Commissioner for Health said her decision to re-enter politics was driven by sustained pressure from supporters who had been mobilising for her return over the past two years.

“A group of people I did not bring together have been working for about two years. About a year ago, they began telling me, ‘We think you are the best candidate and we want you back,’” she added.

Obasanjo recently participated in the APC’s e-registration exercise, formally joining the ruling party.

Her registration was confirmed by a former Chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government and ally, Hon. Biodun Ajayi, who disclosed that she completed her online registration at Ibogun Ward 11 in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State. A former member of the House of Representatives also corroborated the development.

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also wished her well following reports of her defection to the APC.
Obasanjo’s return to frontline politics comes about 15 years after she stepped aside, following her tenure as senator between 2007 and 2011.

She previously served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health before her election to the Senate, after which she relocated to the United States to pursue an academic career.