Former senator and ex–National Assembly member, Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, has confirmed her membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, marking her return to active partisan politics after nearly 15 years.
She disclosed this on Saturday during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Segun Odegbami, on Eagle7 Sports Radio 103.7FM, monitored in Abeokuta.
The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo described the APC as her “natural home,” citing personal conviction, extensive consultations, and sustained pressure from supporters as key factors behind her decision.
According to her, a group of supporters—formed independently without her involvement—had been encouraging her return to politics for over two years.
“As I told you, a group of people whom I did not bring together or organise have been working for about two years. About a year ago, they started approaching me, saying, ‘We believe you are the best candidate and we want you back,’” she said.
The former senator explained that rejoining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on whose platform she last contested an election, was not an option due to the deep internal crises currently plaguing the party.
She also revealed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was considered but ultimately ruled out because of concerns about the party’s preparedness and organisational strength.
Obasanjo-Bello noted that those urging her to return to politics are all members of the APC, a reality that significantly influenced her decision to join the ruling party.
“I believe the APC is my natural home. I have no animosity towards any individual or group within the party. I feel comfortable with the actors I know in the APC—much more comfortable, in fact, than with some of those I know in the PDP, many of whom are now in the ADC,” she said.
“I am confident, happy, and completely convinced—100 per cent—that this is my natural political home.”
Although the APC has yet to issue an official statement on her defection, the development signals her formal return to frontline politics ahead of the 2027 general elections in Ogun State.
There are speculations in political circles that Obasanjo-Bello may contest the governorship, especially following reports that she recently participated in the APC’s ongoing e-registration exercise at Ibogun, Ward 11, in Ifo Local Government Area—an act said to have sealed her membership.
Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello represented the Ogun Central Senatorial District from 2007 to 2011, after serving as Commissioner for Health under the administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel.
She lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Senator Gbenga Obadara of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Following her defeat, she relocated to the United States, where she pursued an academic career and rose to the rank of professor.
