2027: Iyabo Obasanjo’s Campaign DG Resigns From Ogun SUBEB

Abiodun Ajayi, a former Chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government and Permanent Member III of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has resigned his appointment with the board.

Ajayi’s resignation is linked to his new political responsibility as the Director-General of Senator Iyabo Obasanjo’s campaign for the Ogun Central senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.

He conveyed his decision in a resignation letter dated August 31, 2026, addressed to Governor Dapo Abiodun.

In the letter, Ajayi expressed appreciation to the governor for giving him the opportunity to serve in the state government.

He also said his time at SUBEB allowed him to contribute to the development of basic education in Ogun State.

Ajayi, however, said his decision to leave the board was driven by his emerging political responsibilities and the need to avoid a situation where his public appointment and political activities could conflict.

“I sincerely appreciate Your Excellency for the privilege of serving the good people of Ogun State. My tenure has been a valuable and rewarding chapter in my public service journey, and I remain grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the development of basic education and the progress of our dear State.

“My decision to resign has been carefully considered and is principally borne out of my emerging political responsibilities.

“Rather than finding myself in a position where I may have to balance between competing responsibilities, expectations, or political orientations, I believe it is more honourable, responsible and principled to voluntarily relinquish my present appointment,” the statement read.

Obasanjo, the daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, formally returned to the PDP in June after leaving the All Progressives Congress.

The party subsequently presented her as its candidate for Ogun Central ahead of the 2027 election.

Her return to the PDP followed her earlier attempt to secure the APC governorship ticket in Ogun State.

She joined the APC in February 2026 and later expressed interest in contesting the governorship election.

Her ambition, however, did not materialise after the party adopted Senator Solomon Adeola as its preferred candidate.

Obasanjo subsequently left the APC and returned to the PDP, where she is now preparing for a fresh contest in the senatorial district she previously represented.

She served as Ogun Central senator from 2007 to 2011 on the PDP platform. She also served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health before her election to the Senate.

Ajayi confirmed his resignation when contacted by our correspondent on Wednesday.

He also rejected suggestions that his decision automatically meant he had defected from the APC.

“I resigned my appointment with SUBEB about three days ago. I am grateful to the governor for giving me the opportunity to serve, but it is time for me to leave,” he said.

The former local government chairman explained that his resignation was mainly to enable him to concentrate on his new political assignment.

“I was the DG of Iyabo Obasanjo during her gubernatorial ambition under APC, and she has equally appointed me to lead her Senate campaign. So, it is true that I have resigned my appointment with SUBEB, and I will be eternally grateful to Gov Dapo Abiodun for the honour to serve under his purposeful government.”

His comments also indicate that his relationship with Obasanjo predates her latest return to the PDP.

Ajayi previously worked with her when she pursued the Ogun governorship under the APC.

He has now taken up another senior role in her political campaign, this time as she seeks to return to the National Assembly through Ogun Central.

Obasanjo’s campaign has also moved beyond party structures, with the PDP recently commencing its campaign activities across the three federal constituencies that make up Ogun Central.

Thousands of residents and party supporters reportedly participated in the campaign flag-off held in August, with Obasanjo and other party leaders taking part in the mobilisation.

The Ogun Central senatorial district comprises Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Odeda, Obafemi Owode, and Ifo/Ewekoro areas, making grassroots organisation a major part of the campaign ahead of the election.

Ajayi’s experience in local government administration and his previous political activities could therefore become relevant to the organisation of the campaign.

Before his resignation, he had also been actively involved in activities at Ogun SUBEB as Permanent Member III.

In April and May 2026, he represented the SUBEB chairman during monitoring activities in public schools and spoke on efforts to improve pupil enrolment and learning outcomes across the state.

His departure therefore marks the end of his current role in the state’s basic education administration.

Nonetheless, Ajayi has not said that he has resigned his membership of the APC.