2027: Consensus Will Deliver Electable Candidates, Says Iyabo Obasanjo

Senator Iyabo Obasanjo has endorsed the use of consensus in selecting political party candidates ahead of the 2027 general election, expressing confidence that the approach will produce credible and electable leaders.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, the daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is seeking the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Ogun State, argued that consensus reflects the will of the people rather than undermines it.

She dismissed concerns that consensus arrangements could sideline popular candidates, insisting that political parties are ultimately driven by the goal of winning elections.

“I do believe that consensus can bring the right candidates because consensus does not mean that leadership ignores the will of the people; consensus means that they look at what the people are saying. No party wants to lose, so the party will not choose people that open them for a loss; does that make sense?” she said.

Obasanjo further explained that consensus processes naturally favour candidates with strong grassroots support and broad appeal.

“So, the consensus is going to come towards people that can actually win on the ground, if that makes sense, because at the end of the day, the party wants to win. So, they do not want to put the least popular person as the consensus candidate in a way that is going to aggravate the other participants and in a way that is going to discourage people that are popular from participating. So, I have full belief that consensus is the way to go,” she added.

She also expressed confidence that the consensus model would work in her favour in the race for the Ogun APC governorship ticket, pointing to her track record and popularity.

The former Ogun Central senator noted that her earnings while in office were channelled into initiatives that benefited her constituents, which she believes strengthens her chances in the contes