By Adekunle Oluwafunmilayo
Former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo on Tuesday held a closed-door consultation with traditional rulers from Ijebuland at the Awujale Palace in Ijebu Ode, as part of early moves toward her governorship ambition in Ogun State.
The high-level meeting, convened under the auspices of the Ijebu Traditional Council, was chaired by the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeola Adebajo, who serves as the council’s permanent representative.
The gathering drew several prominent monarchs across Ijebuland, including the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdulrasaq Adenugba; the Elese of Ilese-Ijebu, Oba Oluremi Owolabi Obayomi; the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Sikiru Adefuape Okuribido; the Moyegeso of Itele, Oba Mufutau Kasali, the Lipa of Molipa Oba Odubena, alongside other royal fathers.
Though details of the deliberations remained undisclosed, Obasanjo told journalists after the meeting that the visit was aimed at formally notifying the monarchs of her intention to contest the Ogun State governorship and to solicit their support.
“I am here to consult with the royal fathers on my candidacy, to inform them of my intention to run for Governor of Ogun State. I seek a partnership with Ijebuland to achieve this and to make commitments that I intend to uphold upon assumption of office,” she said.
The former lawmaker, however, declined to provide specifics of the assurances given to the traditional rulers, citing strategic reasons.
“The promises are confidential because there are others in the race who may not share the same ideas.
Releasing them prematurely could lead to replication. But I remain committed to my vision for Ijebuland and the entire state,” she added.
Iyabo Obasanjo also reaffirmed her support for the second-term agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR aligning her gubernatorial ambition with the broader national political direction.
Political observers view the consultation as part of early groundwork ahead of the next election cycle, underscoring the enduring influence of traditional institutions in grassroots political mobilization across Ogun State.
