The campaign organisation of Iyabo Obasanjo has raised alarm over what it described as “coordinated provocation” by the All Progressives Congress, urging supporters to remain calm amid rising political tensions.
In a strongly worded statement signed by Adisa Adejumo, Director of Media & Communications, Iyabo Obasanjo Campaign Organisation, the group condemned a viral video showing alleged sponsored individuals chanting derogatory songs and beating loud talking drums around the former Senator.
The statement described the drama as a disruptive and undignified atmosphere unbefitting a national political gathering. The organisation expressed deep concern over the incident, noting that such conduct undermines the unity, maturity and mutual respect expected among party leaders and aspirants.
It also questioned the apparent inaction of key figures believed to be in close proximity during the episode, raising issues about leadership responsibility and the tone of political engagement, particularly in Ogun State.
Reaffirming its stance, the campaign organisation stressed that it remains committed to dignity, discipline and democratic values, firmly rejecting all forms of intimidation, provocation and hostility.
While commending supporters and Ogun residents for drawing attention to the incident, the group praised their restraint and urged them not to retaliate under any circumstances. “Our focus remains on issue-based politics driven by policies, people and progress—not theatrics or disruption,” the statement read.
The camp maintained that it remains resolute in its mission to deliver a better future for Ogun State, despite the unfolding controversy.
The development comes days after Iyabo Obasanjo suspended her governorship ambition ahead of the 2027 Ogun State election following the emergence of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the All Progressives Congress consensus candidate.
Obasanjo, who is the daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, made this known in a statement she personally signed on Monday. Adeola, who currently represents Ogun West in the Senate, secured his position as the party’s consensus candidate during a meeting at the APC secretariat in Abeokuta.
“I congratulate him and wish him every success. I also thank the state and national leaders of our great party for the opportunity to participate in the nomination process,” Obasanjo said. “Based on these developments, I have decided to suspend my gubernatorial aspiration.”
“To my supporters across Ogun State, I am deeply grateful for your calm, steadfast support and unwavering trust throughout this journey. Together, we move forward with patience, strength and hope,” she added.
The decision was taken at the APC strategic caucus meeting held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta on Monday. The meeting attracted all three former governors, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Otunba Gbenga Daniel. Also in attendance were APC gubernatorial aspirants, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, Gboyega Isiaka, Tunde Lemo and Isiak Akinlade.
Obasanjo had earlier returned to active politics after about 15 years and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general elections in Ogun State. She had lost her re-election bid in 2011 to the then Action Congress of Nigeria and subsequently returned to the United States to pursue her academic career, rising to the rank of a professor.
She said she joined the APC because members of the party were the only people who maintained contact with her during her over 15-year absence from active politics. “I have not been an active member or even a member at all of PDP since 2011. I do not see it as leaving one party to join another. I had no party,” she said.
“I don’t see it that way. If I wanted to associate with a winner, I would have stayed in PDP then and continued. I could have lobbied for a federal appointment,” she said. She attributed her APC membership to personal relationships rather than political calculation, saying the people who reached out to her during her years away from politics were all in the party.
Asked on her ambition upon returning to active politics, Iyabo ruled out going back to the Senate, saying she is running for the state’s governorship seat. She had earlier insisted that she was not in the Ogun governorship election race to step down for another candidate. “I’m not in guber race to step down. I will compete with everybody in the field, and I will do everything within my power to get the party ticket,” she said during a media parley with journalists held at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.
Her campaign organisation’s latest statement marks a shift in tone following her withdrawal, with the group now calling attention to what it called “sponsored provocation” and urging restraint to avoid escalating tensions within the party.
