Obasanjo's Daughter Declares Ogun State Governorship Bid
Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has recently announced her ambitious bid to become the next governor of Ogun State, Nigeria, citing a commitment to bridge governance gaps and make a significant impact on the lives of its citizens.
“I’m going to win,” Senator Iyabo Obasanjo declared on Wednesday while featuring on “Frontline,” an interactive programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State. Obasanjo recently returned to active politics after a 15-year hiatus, joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and making her intention to run in the gubernatorial race public.
She previously represented the Ogun Central Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011. However, the renowned epidemiologist and former Ogun State Commissioner for Health lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Senator Gbenga Obadara of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Following this, she returned to the United States to pursue her academic career, ascending to the rank of professor.
Ambition and Vision for Ogun State
Speaking on the programme, Obasanjo reiterated her governorship ambition, which she hinged on the necessity to bridge governance “gaps” in the state and positively impact the lives of Ogun people. The former senator stated her passion for making a difference in citizens' lives, emphasising that she lives a “life of giving more than I take.”
She affirmed, “The position I’m going to run for is governor, and I believe it fits the skills I bring to the table. As Ogun citizens, I hope that when I’m governor, I will touch your life either directly or indirectly in a way that will improve your lives.”
Addressing Power Shift Agitation
Responding to a question regarding the agitation for a power shift to Ogun West, the former senator expressed concern that the region has not produced a governor since the creation of Ogun State 50 years ago. Nevertheless, she maintained that power rotation is not a constitutional mandate.
“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 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,” the former commissioner explained.
Gender and Confidence in the Race
Asked if she intends to leverage the gender card in the race, she responded, “I try not to use gender in this because I know the sentiment for people in the West in terms of this is very high, and I am very sensitive to their cry and I understand it.” She promised to push for the emergence of an Ogun West governor after her “tenure” as governor. “I know what we need to do to make sure that the next governor after me is from the West. Yes, after me, because I’m going to win,” Obasanjo declared confidently.
Obasanjo identified timing and money as two potential disadvantages in her bid for the governorship. “So, I’m coming in with two disadvantages, as I see it. Time, because I came in a little late. I don’t think money makes elections. I know that it’s hard to believe in Nigeria, where money is so important in everything. I believe that people are good people, and they know who will do right by them.”
She concluded, “So, I’m very confident. The confidence comes from just why I’m back — that people saw what I did.” On her chances of securing the APC ticket over other party bigwigs, Obasanjo stated, “I’m as confident… Everybody is politicking. There is no reason why I shouldn’t be out there campaigning with them if I want the post or any other post. I’m just like anybody else. So, is it 100%? It’s not 100% for anybody, and it’s not 100% for me. But I will do everything I can to make sure I’m the candidate.”