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By Lawrence Agbo
Iyabo Obasanjo has declared her intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressing strong support for the party’s adoption of consensus in selecting candidates.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the former senator said consensus remains a credible method for producing electable candidates ahead of the 2027 polls.
She dismissed concerns that the approach could sideline popular aspirants, arguing that political parties are ultimately driven by the need to win elections.
“I do believe that consensus can bring the right candidates because consensus does not mean that leadership ignores the will of the people; consensus means that they look at what the people are saying. No party wants to lose, so the party will not choose people that open them for a loss; does that make sense?” Obasanjo said.
“So, the consensus is going to come towards people that can actually win on the ground, if that makes sense, because at the end of the day, the party wants to win. So, they do not want to put the least popular person as the consensus candidate in a way that is going to aggravate the other participants and in a way that is going to discourage people that are popular from participating. So, I have full belief that consensus is the way to go.”
According to her, consensus does not mean ignoring the will of the people but rather aligning with it by identifying candidates with strong grassroots appeal.
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She maintained that no party would deliberately impose an unpopular candidate capable of weakening its chances at the polls.
Obasanjo also expressed confidence that the consensus model could work in her favour in the race for the Ogun APC ticket, citing her track record in public service and her connection with constituents as key advantages.
The former Ogun Central senator, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, reiterated her optimism about her chances, describing herself as a strong contender in the governorship race.
“I am almost 60; I think that at this age, my friends who still have both parents alive are very few, so I consider myself lucky to have both my mother and my father alive.
“I don’t think at this age I should be consulting them for everything in my career move. What I have said is that my father, I know, and my mother will vote for me; that’s all that I can ask of them. Even if I don’t ask, they will vote for me; that I can guarantee,” she said.
Her position comes as the APC prepares for its national convention scheduled for March 27 and 28 in Abuja, where the party has indicated it will adopt a consensus approach in selecting its national leadership.
Party officials, however, say decisions on candidate selection for elective positions may vary depending on local dynamics.
