2027: Ogun Monarch Backs Iyabo Obasanjo’s Governorship Aspiration, Calls for Women’s Inclusion

By: Israel Adeleke 

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the Eselu of Iselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has thrown his weight behind the governorship aspiration of Iyabo Obasanjo ahead of the 2027 election, urging greater inclusion of women in Ogun State’s political leadership.

OTN News further reports that the monarch made his position known after hosting Obasanjo at his palace in Iselu Kingdomk, which he described as a private visit. 

He said Ogun State, with its long history of accomplished women, should not hesitate to entrust leadership to qualified female candidates.

Akinyemi noted that developments in Ogun often have broader national implications, stressing that the state has consistently produced women of excellence across generations.

“Whatever affects Ogun State affects Nigeria. If you look at the great women we have produced; the likes of Efunsetan Aniwura and Madam Efunroye Tinubu, and even in contemporary times, you will see that Ogun is blessed with exceptional women,” the monarch said.

He also cited the Ogun State Chief Judge, Mosunmola Dipeolu, as one of several women who have brought pride and distinction to the state.

Commending Obasanjo’s credentials, Akinyemi recalled her service as Commissioner for Health in Ogun State and later as a Senator of the Federal Republic, describing her political and professional journey as worthy of support. 

He further praised her humanitarian work through the Iyanuwura Foundation, noting its impact on human capacity development across the state.

“The activities of the Iyanuwura Foundation are still fresh in our memory. She built human capacity across the state. She is a medical doctor by profession and a philanthropist. These are things that make us proud,” he said.

The monarch urged men to reconsider what he described as the historically narrow political space allocated to women, arguing that opening up leadership opportunities would strengthen democracy.

“If somebody like her is willing to take the shot, we men should have a rethink and give women more room than we have been giving them. They will not see us as chauvinists,” he added.

Drawing parallels with global democratic practices, Akinyemi noted that women routinely occupy top political offices in Western democracies.

“Tell me, is there any position in the West that women cannot occupy? Some prime ministers are women. If not that Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump, the United States would have produced its first female president. We cannot ask women not to contest. It is a good development,” he said.

He stressed that Obasanjo’s governorship ambition is a constitutional right, while clarifying that her visit was not intended as a formal royal endorsement.

“She did not come for royal blessing. It was a private visit. At the appropriate time, she knows the appropriate place to go,” the monarch said.

Akinyemi also called for political cooperation across Ogun’s senatorial districts, noting ongoing engagements among aspirants from Ogun West, Ogun Central, and other zones to build consensus ahead of the election.

Obasanjo was accompanied on the visit by an All Progressives Congress chieftain, Abiodun Ajayi, and Oluwatoyin Jokosenumi, the Bada of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta.