Ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Ogun Central Senator Iyabo Obasanjo has stated that he is in favor of using consensus to choose candidates for political positions because it can result in leaders that are trustworthy and electable.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, Obasanjo, who is running for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Ogun State, disclosed this.
Olusegun Obasanjo’s daughter downplayed worries that the consensus approach might result in the installation of unpopular candidates.
Consensus, in her opinion, does not mean that party leaders disregard the opinions of members or voters.
“Consensus does not mean that leadership ignores the will of the people; consensus means that they look at what the people are saying,” she stated. “I do believe that consensus can bring the right candidates,” she added.
When reaching a consensus, she continued, political parties are typically influenced by electoral realities.
“Does that make sense? No party wants to lose, so the party will not choose people who open them for a loss,” Obasanjo said.
“So, since the party wants to win in the end, the consensus is going to come towards those who can actually win on the ground.”
Additionally, Obasanjo stated that she was confident that the agreement will benefit her in the contest for the Ogun State APC governorship.
The former senator stated that her popularity and prior experience in public service could improve her prospects.
She said that the funds she received as a senator were utilized to help her constituents’ developmental projects.
The 59-year-old lawmaker was optimistic about her chances of winning the 2027 governorship during a previous interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief earlier this month.
She characterized herself as a formidable candidate.
Obasanjo, who just switched from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC in preparation for the 2027 elections, also discussed her expectations for her parents’ support.
“I consider myself lucky to have both my mother and my father alive,” she continued. “I am almost 60; I think that at this age, my friends who still have both parents alive are very few.”
“I don’t think I should contact them for every career move at my age. I have stated that the only thing I can hope for from my parents is that they will vote for me.
“I can assure you that they will vote for me, even if I don’t ask,” she continued.
Amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Act, which currently permits only two procedures for choosing candidates—direct primaries and consensus—have sparked a renewed discussion over consensus.
The new law eliminates the possibility of indirect primaries, which were previously employed by numerous political parties.
