Senatorial Election: Why Salisu Looks Set To Defeat Iyabo Obasanjo – Insiders

Former Ogun State governorship aspirant, Iyabo Obasanjo, is heading into what promises to be one of the state’s most closely watched senatorial contests after dumping the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to challenge incumbent Senator Salisu Shuaib for the Ogun Central seat.

Iyabo, who was among the APC governorship aspirants that stepped down for Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, later parted ways with the party following what sources described as a breakdown in political negotiations after Adeola emerged the APC’s consensus governorship candidate.

Despite having been out of elective office for years, political observers and insiders maintain that Iyabo remains one of the most recognisable political figures in Ogun Central, with a formidable grassroots structure that, on paper, gives her an advantage over the incumbent.

However, insiders believe Senator Salisu is well-positioned to retain his seat, largely because of the anticipated bandwagon effect expected to accompany President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

With the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled to hold on the same day, sources argued that the APC’s strength at the top of the ballot could significantly boost candidates contesting under the party’s platform.

“Large percentage of the people, voters are not that literate. Many of them are grassroots people. They follow the party logo and the permutation is that, like he did the last time, Salisu would reap from the mindset of voters. The voters vote party, not person,” a source familiar with the political calculations in the district said.

The expectation is further reinforced by the mobilisation of the APC’s political machinery across Ogun Central, with influential leaders, including former governors Olusegun Osoba and Ibikunle Amosun, actively campaigning for the party to retain power through Tinubu’s second-term bid.

Political observers believe that if the projected wave materialises, it could provide a decisive advantage not only for Salisu but also for other APC candidates seeking election on the same ballot.