Iyabo Obasanjo, a governorship aspirant in Ogun State, announced on Monday that she is suspending her campaign after Senator Solomon Adeola was selected as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the 2027 election. In a statement personally signed, Obasanjo congratulated Adeola and thanked party leaders for allowing her to take part in the selection process.
Adeola, who serves as the senator for Ogun West, was adopted as the party's consensus candidate during a meeting held at the APC secretariat in Abeokuta. Following the decision, Obasanjo said she had chosen to step back from the race, stating, "Based on these developments, I have decided to suspend my gubernatorial aspiration."
She also expressed gratitude to her supporters across Ogun State, describing their backing as "calm, steadfast support and unwavering trust throughout this journey." Adeola's emergence has further solidified his standing within the APC's consensus arrangement ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.
Iyabo Obasanjo's withdrawal underscores how the APC's internal consensus mechanism can swiftly reshape the field of contenders, sidelining a high‑profile figure in favor of Senator Solomon Adeola.
The party's decision, taken at its Abeokuta secretariat, reflects a broader strategy to avoid costly primaries by rallying around a single candidate. Adeola, already a sitting senator for Ogun West, now enjoys undisputed backing, a move that consolidates his influence within the party hierarchy ahead of the 2027 governorship contest.
For ordinary Ogun residents, the outcome narrows the slate of options, effectively removing a candidate with a recognizable political pedigree. Voters who had aligned with Obasanjo may feel their preferences were overridden, potentially dampening enthusiasm for the upcoming election.
This episode fits a recurring pattern in Nigerian politics where parties prioritize internal cohesion over open competition, often limiting voter choice and reinforcing the dominance of established political elites.
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