2027: Adeola, Iyabo Obasanjo Clash Over APC Exit

The political disagreement between Ogun State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Solomon Adeola, and former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo has deepened following her exit from the ruling party to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The two politicians traded accusations over the circumstances surrounding Obasanjo’s departure from the APC, with each side giving different accounts of what led to the fallout.

Speaking during a meeting with members of the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes from Remoland at his senatorial office in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area, Adeola criticised some opposition politicians, saying they were pursuing the 2027 governorship race for personal gain instead of the progress of Ogun State.

His reaction followed claims that he failed to honour an alleged promise to refund campaign expenses incurred during Obasanjo’s governorship ambition.

In a statement issued through his Media Adviser, Chief Kayode Odunaro, Adeola described the reported request for reimbursement as unacceptable. He said the allegation strengthened his belief that some politicians viewed elections as business opportunities rather than avenues to serve the people.

According to him, such politicians were more interested in gaining access to the resources of Ogun State than in contributing to its development.

Adeola also questioned why he should be expected to refund campaign expenses, insisting that he did not ask anyone to contest the governorship election.

He explained that he had initially approached Obasanjo during consultations with party leaders because he regarded her as a respected political figure in the state. However, he later concluded that her political actions were influenced by personal interests.

The senator further alleged that financial considerations played a role in Obasanjo’s decision to leave the APC for the PDP.

He also dismissed legal actions challenging his emergence as the APC governorship candidate, alleging that some of the court cases were being sponsored by political opponents.

Adeola maintained that politicians who defected to another political party after May 10, 2026, would not be eligible to contest the forthcoming governorship election under existing legal provisions and previous court decisions.

He also questioned the readiness of the PDP in Ogun State, arguing that unresolved internal disputes had weakened the party’s structure.

During the meeting, the President of the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes in Remoland, Chief Mrs Olufunke Oyelaja, declared support for Adeola’s governorship ambition. She attributed the endorsement to his contributions to market development and empowerment programmes for traders across the state.

Responding to Adeola’s remarks, Obasanjo rejected the allegation that she personally demanded repayment of campaign expenses.

She explained that the requests made to the APC governorship candidate came from her supporters and not from her directly.

According to Obasanjo, her supporters asked Adeola to consider three issues, including support for the Senate seat, reimbursement of campaign expenses and the inclusion of her political supporters in his campaign structure.

She said she expected Adeola to respond to those requests before she eventually left the APC, but claimed he failed to do so.

Obasanjo also alleged that after her decision to leave the party, Adeola later tried to persuade her to remain by offering her financial support.

She accused the senator of lacking integrity and denied making any personal financial demand.

The former senator said the requests were presented to Adeola by Hon. Aroyeun, Chief Toyin Jokosenumi and Hon. Biodun Ajayi. She maintained that she only asked the APC candidate to indicate which of the requests he was willing to consider and insisted that she never personally demanded reimbursement for her campaign expenses.