Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Ogun Central, has dismissed reports suggesting that she is considering an alliance with Peter Obi, describing the speculation as false and insisting that she has never met the former Anambra State governor for political discussions.
Obasanjo, who expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said her position was informed by her longstanding political relationship with the President, whom she described as the presidential candidate she knows best among those in contention.
She said Tinubu had consistently treated her with respect, adding that her familiarity with him as a much more senior politician informed her position.
The former senator’s clarification followed a social media publication attributed to a blog “Very Nigerian,” which claimed that a so-called Rainbow Coalition was emerging in Ogun Central, with Obasanjo allegedly considering an endorsement of Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in a purported cross-party voting arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, Iyabo Obasanjo has rejected the report, insisting that there is no basis for the claims of a political understanding between her and Obi.
“I have never met Obi for any political discussions ever,” she said, dismissing the suggestion that she was negotiating or contemplating any arrangement involving the former presidential candidate.
She also made her position on the presidential contest clear, declaring her support for Tinubu.
“I am supporting Tinubu because I know him best of all the presidential candidates as a much senior politician, and he has always treated me with respect,” she said.
Her remarks seek to put an end to the speculation over her presidential preference and counter suggestions that she was involved in an emerging political arrangement involving opposition figures.
The Iyabo Obasanjo Senatorial Campaign Organisation, in a statement signed by its Spokesperson, Mr Peter Macjob, also described the report as fabricated, alleging that it was designed to mislead voters and create confusion within the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the organization, there have been no meetings, consultations or agreements involving Obasanjo and Obi, nor any negotiations over a proposed cross-party voting arrangement.
It maintained that Iyabo Obasanjo remained the duly cleared senatorial candidate of the PDP for Ogun Central and was focused on her bid to represent the district in the Senate.
The campaign urged voters and media organisations to disregard the report, arguing that political discourse should centre on candidates’ records, programmes and capacity to deliver rather than unsubstantiated claims of secret alliances.
Beyond the controversy, Obasanjo’s campaign said its priority remained mobilising support across Ogun Central and presenting her candidacy as an opportunity for effective representation and grassroots development.
The former senator is seeking to return to the National Assembly at a time when political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections are beginning to attract increasing attention.
Her rejection of the alleged Obi alliance also draws a distinction between her senatorial ambition under the PDP and her stated preference in the presidential contest.
By declaring support for Tinubu while maintaining her PDP senatorial candidacy, Iyabo Obasanjo has made clear that, in her view, her choice of presidential candidate does not translate into an endorsement of the alleged political arrangement circulating on social media.
The campaign reiterated its call for issue-based politics, urging the electorate to assess candidates on their individual merits and their capacity to address the concerns of the people.