Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has declared her intention to contest the governorship of Ogun State, expressing confidence that she will win.
“I’m going to win,” she declared on Wednesday while featuring on “Frontline,” an interactive programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State.
Tribune Online reports that the former senator, who returned to partisan politics after 15 years, recently joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and formally entered the governorship race.
On the radio programme, she said her decision to run is rooted in her desire to close governance gaps in the state and improve the lives of residents.
She described public service as a personal commitment, saying she lives a “life of giving more than I take.”She said, “The position I’m going to run for is governor, and I believe it fits the skills I bring to the table. As Ogun citizens, I hope that when I’m governor, I will touch your life either directly or indirectly in a way that will improve your lives.”
Addressing calls for power to shift to Ogun West, Iyabo acknowledged concerns that the zone has yet to produce a governor since the state’s creation five decades ago. However, she maintained that zoning is not backed by the constitution.
“The reason we have not had a governor from Ogun West cannot be blamed on Ogun Central, right? We’ve had — and the man (referring to a caller on the programme) mentioned the number of governors from Central — two of them. He did not mention the number from the East.
“We’ve had three from Ogun East. So, is Central to blame for West? Personally, I was instructed to help late General Olurin when he became the PDP candidate. I walked, we went and strutted and took him around. It did not work,” the former commissioner said.
When asked whether she would leverage gender sentiment in the race, she ruled it out.
“I try not to use gender in this because I know the sentiment for people in the West in terms of this is very high, and I am very sensitive to their cry and I understand it.”
She further pledged to support the emergence of a governor from Ogun West after her “tenure.”
“I know what we need to do to make sure that the next governor after me is from the West. Yes, after me, because I’m going to win,” Obasanjo declared.
The former lawmaker identified late entry into the race and limited financial resources as challenges facing her campaign.
“So, I’m coming in with two disadvantages, as I see it. Time, because I came in a little late.“I don’t think money makes elections.
I know that it’s hard to believe in Nigeria, where money is so important in everything. I believe that people are good people, and they know who will do right by them.
“So, I’m very confident. The confidence comes from just why I’m back — that people saw what I did,” she said.
Speaking on her chances of clinching the APC ticket, she said the contest remains open to all aspirants and that she would campaign vigorously.
“I’m as confident… Everybody is politicking. There is no reason why I shouldn’t be out there politicking with them if I want the post or any other post. I’m just like anybody else.
“So, is it 100%? It’s not 100% for anybody, and it’s not 100% for me. But I will do everything I can to make sure I’m the candidate.”
