Yayi, Iyabo Obasanjo Clash Over Alleged Campaign Refund Demand Ahead of Ogun 2027 Election

The political atmosphere in Ogun State has become more heated ahead of the 2027 governorship election following a public exchange between the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and former APC governorship aspirant, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo.

The disagreement erupted after Adeola alleged that Obasanjo demanded reimbursement for expenses she incurred during her failed governorship bid under the APC before defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, Obasanjo has strongly denied the allegation, accusing the senator of dishonesty and lacking integrity.

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Speaking during a meeting with the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes (market leaders) in Remoland at his senatorial office in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area, Adeola claimed that Obasanjo’s decision to leave the APC was motivated by personal financial interests rather than political ideology.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Odunaro, Adeola alleged that Obasanjo had accused him of failing to fulfill a promise to refund both her naira and dollar campaign expenses after she lost the APC governorship ticket.

According to the senator, such a request was insulting and suggested that her interest in the governorship race was driven by expectations of financial gain rather than a genuine desire to serve Ogun State.

He maintained that he only visited Obasanjo as part of reconciliation efforts because he regarded her as a respected political figure interested in the development of the state. However, he said he later discovered that her motivations were personal.

Adeola further alleged that after failing to secure what she wanted from him and the APC, Obasanjo shifted her political loyalty to the PDP and its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, in pursuit of similar personal interests.

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The APC governorship candidate also addressed ongoing legal disputes surrounding his emergence as the party’s candidate.

He argued that politicians who defected from the APC to another political party after May 10, 2026, were not qualified under existing legal provisions to contest the forthcoming governorship election.

Adeola further claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party was facing internal leadership disputes that questioned its legal standing ahead of the polls.

According to him, unresolved court cases involving rival PDP factions could affect the party’s participation in the election.

Iyabo Obasanjo Fires Back, Labels Adeola A Liar

Responding to the allegations, former Ogun Central senator, Iyabo Obasanjo, dismissed Adeola’s claims and described him as “a liar” without integrity.

She questioned why the APC candidate allegedly continued reaching out to her and even offered her money after she left the party if he genuinely believed any request related to campaign expenses was insulting.

According to Obasanjo, the discussions held between her political team and Adeola focused on three requests rather than a personal demand for reimbursement.

She explained that her supporters requested consideration for a Senate seat, reimbursement of campaign expenses incurred during her governorship ambition, and inclusion of her political supporters in Adeola’s campaign structure.

Obasanjo said she informed Adeola that he was not obligated to satisfy all the requests but expected him to communicate whichever ones he was willing to accommodate.

She alleged that the senator neither fulfilled any of the requests nor contacted her afterward until she had already resigned from the APC.

Why Iyabo Obasanjo Left APC

Iyabo Obasanjo officially resigned from the APC on May 31, citing rejection, disrespect and poor treatment by the party’s leadership.

She subsequently joined the Peoples Democratic Party and emerged as the PDP candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general election.

The former Commissioner for Health also criticised the APC consensus process that produced Adeola as the party’s governorship candidate.

According to her, although aspirants had agreed to respect any consensus arrangement, she was never consulted or involved before Adeola was announced as the consensus candidate.

She also alleged that some of her supporters were denied access to the venue where the APC candidate was unveiled and subjected to intimidation.

Ogun 2027 Political Tension Intensifies

The exchange between Adeola and Obasanjo highlights the growing political tension ahead of the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.

With legal disputes, party defections and public accusations already dominating the political landscape, analysts believe the contest could become one of the state’s most closely watched elections.

As political parties intensify preparations for the polls, both APC and PDP are expected to continue strengthening their structures while addressing internal disagreements that could shape the outcome of the election.