Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, a former senator representing Ogun Central and daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing persistent marginalization, unfair treatment, and a lack of respect from the party’s leadership in Ogun State.
Obasanjo-Bello formally announced her resignation in a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi.
Her departure comes months after she participated in the race for the APC governorship ticket in Ogun State, a process she now says left her feeling excluded and disregarded.
In her resignation letter, the former senator criticized the consensus arrangement that produced Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the party’s governorship candidate.
According to her, despite publicly pledging to abide by any consensus decision reached by the party, she was neither consulted nor involved in the process that led to Adeola’s emergence.
She also alleged that some of her supporters were denied access to the venue where the candidate was unveiled and were subjected to intimidation.
Obasanjo-Bello further revealed that following Adeola’s emergence, the senator sought a meeting with her supporters and received three requests from them.
According to her, he promised to respond within one week, but she had not received any feedback for more than two months.
“Following his emergence, Senator Adeola requested a meeting with my supporters, during which three requests were presented. He promised a response within a week. More than two months later, no feedback has been received,” she stated.
The former lawmaker said her experiences within the party reflected a broader pattern of rejection and disrespect.
“The treatment I have received reflects a consistent pattern of rejection and disrespect. When disrespect is the only dish served, one should leave the table. I am therefore leaving the APC table where I am not welcomed,” she wrote.
Despite her grievances, Obasanjo-Bello expressed appreciation to several key figures within the party and government for the courtesy shown to her during her membership of the APC.
She specifically thanked President Bola Tinubu, Ogun APC Chairman Chief Yemi Sanusi, and leaders of the Ogun Central Senatorial District for the respect and support they extended to her while she remained in the party.
Her resignation adds another dimension to the political landscape in Ogun State ahead of future elections, particularly as discussions over succession and party alignments intensify.
Obasanjo-Bello, a former senator and academic, remains one of the most prominent political figures in Ogun State, and her exit from the ruling party is likely to generate further conversations about internal democracy and inclusion within political parties.
For now, she has made it clear that her decision was driven not by personal ambition, but by what she described as a consistent failure by party leaders to treat her and her supporters with fairness and respect.
With her departure now official, attention will shift to her next political move and whether she chooses to align with another platform ahead of future electoral contests.
