ABEOKUTA — Former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello who recently dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) has joined a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sources within the party informed Ogun Daily Newspaper on Monday that the former lawmaker has aligned with the PDP bloc loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike is preparing to contest for the Ogun Central Senatorial District seat in the 2027 elections.

Sources further claimed that before settling for the PDP, Prof. Obasanjo-Bello had explored the possibility of contesting the Ogun State governorship election on the platform of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). However, a source familiar with the discussions alleged that the plan did not materialise after the party reportedly withdrew its support for her proposed governorship bid.

According to the source, party leaders were said to have expressed reservations about entrusting the governorship ticket to her, leading to the collapse of the arrangement. The claim could not be independently verified, and no official statement had been issued by the NDC as of the time of filing this report.

According to sources, Prof. Obasanjo-Bello attended a meeting with leaders of the faction at Park Inn by Radisson, Abeokuta, on Monday, where she was reportedly handed nomination forms to begin the process of formalising her senatorial ambition.

The development marks a significant political shift for the former senator, who had publicly commended the APC leadership after joining the ruling party, citing the presence of many of her political associates within its fold as one of the reasons for her decision at the time.

Party insiders disclosed that her move is expected to strengthen the PDP faction led in Ogun State by Hon. Ladi Adebutu, which is aligned with the Wike camp at the national level.

Although,a source close to the Ogun People’s Democratic Party said, Hon. Ladi Adebutu had obtained governorship forms from both factions associated with the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike and the other faction linked to former Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki (SAN),

The PDP has been embroiled in a prolonged leadership crisis, resulting in the emergence of two major factions. One faction is associated with the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike enjoys the backing of several influential stakeholders across the country. The other faction is linked to former Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki (SAN), and other party leaders advocating a different direction for the opposition party.

Sources said Prof. Obasanjo-Bello’s decision to join the Wike-backed camp was finalised during consultations with key stakeholders of the faction in Ogun State.

Meanwhile, checks by Ogun Daily Newspaper indicate that the APC had not officially received any resignation letter from Prof. Obasanjo-Bello as of 2:00 p.m. on Monday, raising questions about the formal status of her membership in the ruling party.

Prof. Obasanjo-Bello previously represented Ogun Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly but suffered electoral setbacks that brought her time in elective office to an end. She lost her seat during the National Assembly elections held on April 9, 2011, ending her tenure in the Senate.

Her attempts to stage a political comeback also failed in subsequent contests. In 2015, she was defeated in the race for the Ogun Central Senatorial District seat by Senator Lanre Tejuoso, who emerged victorious in the election and further diminished her influence in the district’s electoral politics.

Efforts to obtain official comments from representatives of both the APC and the PDP factions were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

If confirmed, the former senator’s entry into the race could add a new dimension to the contest for the Ogun Central Senatorial District seat in 2027.

Details later…