PDP Accuses APC of Propaganda over Iyabo Obasanjo’s 2027 Senate Eligibility

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly candidate for Abeokuta South Constituency II, Adeoye Adewale Adeniran, has criticised reports suggesting that Senator Iyabo Obasanjo is ineligible to contest the 2027 Ogun Central Senatorial election.

Adeniran, in a statement, said claims that the Supreme Court had disqualified Obasanjo from participating in the election were based on a misleading interpretation of a recent judgment.

He argued that the judgment cited in the reports did not mention Obasanjo and contained no order preventing her from seeking election to the Senate in 2027.

The controversy followed a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, in a case involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The case concerned provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, with the apex court upholding the disputed provisions and overturning an earlier Court of Appeal decision that had invalidated them.

The provisions involved Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026. They deal mainly with party membership registers and procedures for selecting candidates for elections.

Adeniran maintained that none of the provisions, as interpreted by the Supreme Court, amounted to a ruling against Obasanjo’s candidacy.

He also noted that the case before the Supreme Court was between INEC and a political party, while Obasanjo was not a party to the proceedings.

The PDP candidate challenged those promoting the disqualification claim to identify the part of the Supreme Court judgment that specifically refers to Obasanjo or prevents her from contesting the Ogun Central senatorial election.

He said the judgment dealt with the interpretation and application of particular provisions of the Electoral Act and should not be presented as a ruling on the eligibility of an individual candidate who was not involved in the case.

Adeniran further maintained that Obasanjo remained a member of the PDP and that there was no Supreme Court order, based on the judgment, stopping her from seeking the party’s ticket or contesting the election.

He accused the APC of using the controversy for political purposes, alleging that the party was attempting to create uncertainty around the PDP’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

The PDP candidate said his party’s candidates at different levels were preparing to present an alternative political programme to residents of Ogun State.

He said the PDP campaign would focus on policies and programmes aimed at addressing economic challenges and improving infrastructure, education, healthcare, employment and security.

Adeniran added that the party intended to support businesses and vulnerable residents while making greater use of Ogun State’s human and material resources.

He said PDP candidates would seek to present development plans centred on improving opportunities for residents and strengthening confidence in government ahead of the 2027 elections.