The senatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun Central Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo has declared support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and dismissed reports linking her to purported political alliance with the presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Mr Peter Obi.
She described the report of her alliance with Obi as false saying she had never met him for political discussions and had not entered into any arrangement with him over a proposed cross-party voting strategy.
Her clarification followed a social media publication attributed to a blog Very Nigerian which claimed a political arrangement tagged ‘Rainbow Coalition’ was emerging in Ogun Central with Iyabo Obasanjo allegedly considering endorsement of Obi.
But the senatorial candidate of PDP in a swift response said her support for Tinubu was informed by her long-standing political relationship with the President and the respect he had consistently shown her.
She said: ‘I have never met Obi for any political discussion.
‘I’m supporting Tinubu because I know him as the best of all the presidential candidates as much as a senior politician. He has always treated me with respect.’
The Iyabo Obasanjo Senatorial Campaign Organisation also rejected the alleged alliance describing the publication as fabricated.
It accused its promoters of attempting to mislead voters and create confusion within the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement signed by its spokesman Peter Macjob the campaign organisation maintained that there had been no meetings consultations or agreements between Iyabo Obasanjo and Obi concerning the purported coalition.
It insisted that Obasanjo remained the duly cleared PDP senatorial candidate for Ogun Central and was concentrating on her campaign to return to the National Assembly.
The organisation urged voters and media organisations to disregard the report calling for political discussions to focus on candidates’ records policy proposals and capacity to deliver effective representation rather than unsubstantiated claims of secret alliances.
It said the campaign’s priority was to mobilise support across Ogun Central and convince constituents that Obasanjo’s return to the Senate would advance grassroots development and improve representation.
Obasanjo a former lawmaker representing Ogun Central is seeking return to the National Assembly as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election.
Her declaration of support for Tinubu while retaining her PDP senatorial candidacy highlights the distinction between her stated presidential preference and her ambition to contest Ogun Central seat under the opposition party.