- Yayi accused Iyabo Obasanjo of demanding a refund for campaign expenses
- Obasanjo denied the allegation and accused the senator of dishonesty
- The exchange highlights growing political tension ahead of the 2027 Ogun election
A fresh political dispute has erupted in Ogun State after the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Senator Solomon Adeola, and former APC governorship aspirant, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, exchanged accusations over claims relating to campaign expenses and her exit from the party.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, alleged that Obasanjo left the APC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after he declined to refund the money she reportedly spent during her governorship ambition.
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In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Odunaro, the senator said Obasanjo’s alleged request reflected personal financial interests rather than a commitment to public service.
Speaking during a meeting with members of the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes in Remoland, Adeola claimed he had initially reached out to Obasanjo as part of efforts to reconcile party members because he believed she genuinely wanted to serve Ogun State.
He, however, said he later became convinced that her political ambition was driven by personal gain.
According to Adeola, demanding reimbursement for campaign expenses was inappropriate and suggested that public office was being treated as an investment.
He further alleged that Obasanjo eventually left the APC after failing to secure what she wanted and later joined the PDP, where she emerged as the party’s Ogun Central senatorial candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
The senator also claimed she later sought similar benefits from the PDP, adding that more details about the matter would emerge in due course.
Beyond the disagreement, Adeola also addressed the legal challenge against his emergence as the APC governorship candidate, insisting that those contesting his candidacy would not succeed.
He argued that politicians who defected from their parties after May 10, 2026, were not qualified to participate in the forthcoming election, citing existing legal provisions and court decisions.
Adeola also questioned the legal status of the PDP, alleging that the opposition party remained divided by unresolved internal disputes.
Reacting to the allegations, Obasanjo dismissed Adeola’s claims, describing them as false and accusing him of lacking integrity.
She explained that during discussions before she left the APC, members of her political team presented three requests to Adeola.
According to her, the requests included support for a Senate seat, reimbursement of campaign expenses and the inclusion of her political associates in his campaign structure.
Obasanjo maintained that none of the requests was granted and alleged that Adeola never communicated his position before she resigned from the APC.
She further claimed that after she joined the PDP, Adeola contacted her and allegedly offered her money to remain in the APC.
Questioning his remarks, she asked why he would attempt to persuade her financially if he truly considered the earlier discussions offensive.
The former lawmaker also defended her actions, insisting the requests came from members of her political camp rather than from her personally.
Obasanjo left the APC in May, citing alleged marginalisation and lack of respect within the party before joining the PDP.
She had also criticised the consensus process that produced Adeola as the APC governorship candidate, arguing that she and her supporters were excluded from the exercise despite earlier assurances.
The former Ogun State commissioner and ex-senator has since secured the PDP ticket to contest the Ogun Central senatorial seat in the 2027 general election.
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