Iyabo Obasanjo, a governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, has called for greater cooperation among political actors to forestall violence in the 2027 elections. She made the appeal on Friday during a visit to the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abeokuta, describing dialogue and open communication as essential tools for reducing tension. The former commissioner for health in Ogun State said collaboration allows issues to be resolved before they escalate, calling it the foundation of "empathetic collaboration." She stressed that such engagement strengthens democracy and promotes stability across the state.
IPAC chairman Abayomi Sanyaolu confirmed that only three individuals are currently recognised by the council as legitimate governorship aspirants. They are Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, and Sarafa Tunji Isola, former ambassador to the UK. Sanyaolu stated that any claim to aspirancy without formal engagement with IPAC holds no weight in the council's records. He emphasized that all registered political parties in the state are represented in IPAC, making it a central platform for vetting intentions and assessing readiness to govern. "If you have not stepped into the IPAC secretariat to introduce yourself and speak with stakeholders, then you are not known to this body," he said.
Iyabo Obasanjo is positioning herself as a consensus builder, but IPAC's recognition carries no legal weight—only political optics. The fact that only three aspirants are acknowledged by the council suggests gatekeeping more than inclusion. For Ogun voters, this means visibility may soon be tied to IPAC's approval, not popular support. That shifts influence from the electorate to a body with no constitutional mandate.
