Iyabo Obasanjo Accuses Yayi Of Failed Promises, Quits APC Over Alleged Disrespect
The former
Ogun Central senator and daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had recently
lost out the APC governorship ticket to Senator Solomon Adeola, popu;arly known
as Yayi who emerged as the party’s governorship consensus candidate.
Obasanjo,
who announced her resignation in a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the
state APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, said the consensus process that produced
Adeola is inconsistent with the party’s guidelines.
The former
governorship aspirant explained that while she had pledged to accept the
consensus arrangement adopted by the party, the party’s leadership did not
consult or carry her along in the process before Adeola was announced as the
consensus candidate.
She added
that some of her supporters were prevented from entering the venue where the
candidate was unveiled and were subjected to intimidation.
According to
her, despite the reservations, she accepted the party’s decision in the
interest of unity and publicly congratulated Adeola on the night of his
emergence.
Obasanjo also
accused Adeola of reneging on his promise to grant the three requests of her
supporters during the meeting he held with them after several weeks.
She insisted
that the ugly development reflected a broader pattern of disregard for her
contributions to the party.
“I agreed to support whichever candidate
emerged through a consensus process, but I was not consulted before Senator
Adeola was presented as the consensus candidate. Some of my supporters were
denied access to the venue and intimidated. Nevertheless, I accepted the
outcome in the interest of party unity and publicly congratulated Senator
Adeola that same night.
“Following
his emergence, Senator Adeola requested a meeting with my supporters. During
that meeting, three requests were made and he promised to respond within one
week. More than two months later, no response has been received.
“The
treatment I have received since then has reflected a consistent pattern of
rejection and disrespect. When disrespect is the only dish served, then one
should leave the table. I am therefore leaving the APC table where I am not
welcomed.”
The former female
aspirant, however, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the Ogun
APC chairman, Chief Sanusi, and the Ogun Central Senatorial leadership led by
Chief Soremi for their support and courtesy they extended to her while she
remained in the party.
It will be
recalled that Obasanjo returned to active politics earlier this year after 15 years
to join APC in a bid to contest the 2027 Ogun state governorship.