Former senator and ex-member of the National Assembly, Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, has confirmed that she is now a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State.
She made this known on Saturday during an interview with Nigerian football icon Segun Odegbami on 103.7FM Eagle7 Sports, monitored in Abeokuta.
The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo described the APC as her natural political base, explaining that her return to active politics followed sustained encouragement from her supporters.
“As I told you, a group of people whom I did not bring together, I did not form them into a group, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she said.
Obasanjo-Bello ruled out a return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which she previously contested elections, citing the party’s ongoing internal crises.
She disclosed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was also considered but noted concerns about the party’s level of preparedness.
According to her, the individuals urging her return to politics are members of the APC, a key factor that shaped her decision to join the ruling party.
She said she carried out wide consultations before formally aligning with the APC.
“So, I think APC is my natural home. I don’t have any animosity towards any individual or any group within the APC. I feel comfortable with all the actors I know within the APC.
“I feel more comfortable, actually, than with some of the actors I know in the PDP, and some of them are now in the ADC. So I think it’s my natural home. I feel quite confident and happy to have made that decision.
“I have an absolute 100 per cent feeling it’s my natural home,” she said.
Although the APC is yet to release an official statement, the move marks her return to frontline politics after about 15 years.
She joined the party ahead of the 2027 general elections in Ogun State, amid speculations that she may contest the governorship.
Reports also indicate that she participated in the APC e-registration exercise at Ibogun, Ward 11, in Ifo Local Government Area, effectively formalising her membership.
Iyabo Obasanjo represented Ogun Central Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011, after serving as commissioner for health under former governor Gbenga Daniel.
She lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Senator Gbenga Obadara of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and subsequently returned to the United States, where she pursued an academic career and rose to the rank of professor.