Former Senator, Iyabo Obasanjo, on Tuesday visited the Awujale Palace in Ijebu Ode, where she held a closed-door meeting with traditional rulers from across Ijebuland as part of consultations for her governorship ambition in Ogun State.
The meeting, which brought together several monarchs under the Ijebu Traditional Council, was chaired by the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeola Adebajo, who serves as the permanent representative of the council.
Among the royal fathers present at the meeting were the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba A. A. A. Adenugba; the Elese of Ilese-Ijebu, Oba Oluremi Owolabi Obayomi; the Eleruwon of Eruwon; the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Sikiru Adefuape Okuribido; Alaiyeluwa Oba L.F. Ogunbanwo, Gbegande of Ososa, and the Onirete of Irete. Moyegeso of Ijebubu Itele and many others.
Although details of the deliberations were not disclosed, Obasanjo, who addressed journalists after the meeting, said her visit was to formally inform the royal fathers of her intention to contest the governorship position and to seek their support.
“I am here to consult with the royal fathers on my candidacy, to let them know and give them the information that I am running for the position of Governor of Ogun State in the coming election. I am interested in partnership with Ijebuland to achieve this and make promises that I will keep on my ascension to the governorship,” she said.
When asked to reveal specifics of the commitments she made to the traditional rulers, the former lawmaker declined, citing strategic considerations.
“No, the promises are confidential because there are others running the same race and they might not have the same ideas I have. If carelessly released, they may begin to adopt them. But I am a politician; I say what I mean and mean what I say. I know where I am going with my campaign and how to improve Ijebuland and every part of Ogun State,” she added.
Obasanjo also used the opportunity to reaffirm her support for the second-term vision of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aligning her political aspirations with the broader national agenda.
The consultation is seen as part of early political moves ahead of the next election cycle, with traditional institutions continuing to play influential advisory roles in grassroots political engagement across Ogun State.
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