As “Nigeria Decides 2027” fast approaches, did former President Olusegun Obasanjo just “murder” the 2027 gubernatorial ambition of Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi of Yewa), as well as those of other frontrunners in Ogun State in order to pull his heavy weight behind his own daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, in her bid to become the next Governor of Ogun State on account of helping President Bola Ahmed Tinubu douse the rapidly-growing political tension of a tsunami – a big movement that threatens to stop the 2027 re-election of incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu?
Also, did the so-called “master strategist”, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, not already put a halt to the Governorship ambition of Senator Olamilekan Adeola when the latter reportedly suddenly announced to the world that his followers should stop mounting his billboards for electioneering campaign at this point?
Did we not see Senator Iyabo Obasanjo visiting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and immediately thereafter granting an interview to a journalist where she declared her intention to contest the Governorship Election of Ogun State in 2027?
Lastly, it is no longer an imaginary image of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s attendance of the ruling party’s event (APC) and donning a uniform traditional clothing attire adorned with the typical Tinubu’s signature symbol of ‘figure 8’.
The question arising is : “Has former President Olusegun Obasanjo – the ‘Ẹbọra of Owu’ – now sacrificed the growing political movement to rescue Nigeria from the current bad government under Tinubu for his daughter’s governorship ambition in Ogun State?”
During the Inauguration Ceremony of the ‘Gateway Cargo International Airport’ in Iperu, Ogun State, last month, March 2025, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was captured when he appeared in a themed attire bearing the famous ‘Tinubu insignia’ thus immediately drawing attention and speculations among political observers.
Historical Antagonists: Obasanjo and Tinubu are historically known political adversaries, dating back to the 1999–2007 tenure of Obasanjo’s Presidency and that of Tinubu as Lagos State Governor.
In the run-up to the 2023 Presidential Election, Tinubu had “consulted” the former President at his Abeokuta’s hilltop residence, however, despite the meeting, Obasanjo declined to support Tinubu, opting instead to back Labour Party candidate, Peter Gregory Obi.
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Since Tinubu’s emergence as President in May 2023, the two had rarely met publicly.
In his book – ‘Nigeria: Past and Future’ – launched alongside another publication for his 88th birthday in March 2025, Obasanjo had openly criticised Tinubu’s government, claiming it “competes with the late President Buhari’s administration in inefficiency.”
In a November 2024 Keynote at the ‘Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum’ at Yale University, Obasanjo had described Tinubu as “Baba-go-slow” and “Emilokan”, while lamenting Nigeria’s deteriorating condition under his leadership.
Enter ‘A New Song’. Hmmm.
In his Address, Tinubu praised Obasanjo for his “commitment to good governance”, while Obasanjo thanked the President for honouring the Invitation to visit Ogun State.
Obasanjo’s choice of publicly donning the attire suggests a potential political undertone that could be a “subtle fence mending strategy.”
Meanwhile Obasanjo’s daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo reportedly publicly declared her Ogun State Governorship ambition recently under the ruling APC.
However, it was reported that campaign posters for other major aspirants, including Senators Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) and Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI), were prominently displayed across Iperu, Ilishan, and the airport area during Tinubu’s visit.
Iyabo Obasanjo, a former Senator and ex-Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, returned to active politics after 15 years, joining the APC and participating in the party’s recent “e-registration” exercise.
Unnamed sources hinted that the said attire was not what Obasanjo wore when leaving home, and that the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun handed it to him upon arrival, thus fuelling political theories by watchers.
Now, please, connect the dots – “ó jọ gàté, kò jọ gàté, ó fi ẹsẹ̀ méjèjì ti’lẹ̀ (it seem like it, but it is becoming the truth).”
Hmmm, a maverick turn of events and new political twist in Ogun State politics!
Has former President Olusegun Obasanjo, because of his own daughter’s governorship ambition in Ogun State, now joined the choruses of many singing : “Bola On Your Mandate We Shall Stand?” Hmm, we “smell a rat at this point.”
Time Will Tell…..
~ David Adenekan Is The Editor Of ‘Shekinah International Magazine’ And A Media Consultant. He Is Also The Secretary Of ‘Afenifere Diaspora USA’ And A Human Rights Activist. He Writes From Chicago, Illinois.
