Former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo has explicitly declared that, as far as her political operations are concerned, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) does not have a presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The former lawmaker completely distanced herself from the party's national campaign apparatus, emphasizing that her political focus and campaign strategy remain strictly restricted to Ogun State and the Ogun Central Senatorial District.
Obasanjo, who is the daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and currently holds the PDP senatorial ticket for Ogun Central, made her position known during a detailed broadcast interview where she was asked about the party's preparedness and leadership structure ahead of the upcoming national elections. Her public declarations came as a surprise to political observers, given that the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party had previously announced former Cross River governorship candidate, Senator Sandy Onor, as its consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 race. The party executive committee, led by National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, had formally presented Onor with a certificate of return and the party flag following consultations and voice votes among party delegates and stakeholders.
Addressing the national ticket directly, Obasanjo maintained that she was completely unaware of any such presidential candidate and insisted there was no rational basis for her to campaign on behalf of someone she does not know personally or politically. She explained that during the meetings she attended, party leaders did not inform candidates or members about the selection of a national standard-bearer. Consequently, she noted that the existence or non-existence of a national presidential candidate carries no weight in her local strategy, reiterating that the core focus of her campaign in Ogun State is entirely centered on serving the immediate needs of her constituency rather than participating in broader national contests.
When asked whether she would participate in joint rallies or appear alongside the party's national presidential candidate during any scheduled campaign visits to Ogun State, the former senator stated that she has received zero official communication from the national headquarters of the party regarding such visits. She expressed strong doubts about her participation in any national-level campaign events, reiterating that her candidacy is not tied to the national race in any form or shape.
Obasanjo's strong stance comes shortly after her high-profile return to the Peoples Democratic Party following her resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). She had originally left the APC after losing the party's governorship nomination in Ogun State, subsequently returning to the PDP where she was granted the ticket for the Ogun Central Senatorial District. Upon rejoining the party, she pledged commitment to its constitution and code of conduct while promising to prioritize grassroots welfare.
Reflecting on the broader political dynamics within Ogun State, Obasanjo also offered commentary on internal tensions within rival political organizations. She stated that political parties actively seeking to recruit dissatisfied members from opposing camps is a natural and expected aspect of democratic politics. She emphasized that political organizations must focus on genuine internal reconciliation after primary elections, observing that party unity relies heavily on making members feel valued, included, and respected rather than relying solely on financial incentives.
