Former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo slams political opportunism, criticises Yayi’s constituency shift, and calls for reforms in Nigeria’s democracy
“Yayi Is an Opportunist” — Iyabo Obasanjo Warns Against Political Migration
Former Ogun Central lawmaker, Iyabo Obasanjo, has delivered a scathing critique of political defections and constituency migration in Nigeria, warning that the trend threatens democratic stability and institutional growth.
Speaking during an appearance on Frontline, a public affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Obasanjo did not mince words as she accused Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, of political opportunism.
“Yayi is an opportunist. He has never supported anybody from the West, yet now he positions himself as a contender,” she said. “Politics is not about coming into a state just because it is advantageous to you. You have to build a connection with the people, understand the grassroots, and be part of the system. Opportunists move around, picking what benefits them, but that is not how sustainable leadership is built.”
Obasanjo argued that leadership credibility must be built on consistency and long-term grassroots engagement, not strategic relocation for electoral gain.
“I have supported candidates from the West; I have organized people there. I know the terrain, I know the population, and I know what it takes to prepare a candidate who can truly represent the West,” she stated. “For me, credibility comes from consistency and dedication, not convenience or short-term gains.”
She warned that frequent political realignments weaken democratic institutions.
“If everybody begins to choose where it is easiest to win, then we will destroy the foundations of our political system. Democracy grows when politicians grow with their people, not when they shop for constituencies.”
Adeola’s political journey has been widely discussed in recent years. After serving in the Lagos State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and completing two terms as Senator representing Lagos West, he successfully contested the Ogun West Senatorial seat in 2023 — a move analysts described as strategic and historic.
But Obasanjo insists such transitions send the wrong signal.
“You stay where you started, you build structures, you serve the people, and you grow with them. You do not abandon your base simply because ambition is calling elsewhere.”
Obasanjo also addressed her own defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, describing it as a difficult but necessary decision after years of feeling undervalued.
“They only reached out to me when they needed my support to garner votes during elections. It was like they forgot all the years of work I put in, only remembering me when it suited their immediate political goals,” she said.
Reflecting on her frustration, she added: “They never contacted me at the right time, never valued my insight, and yet expected me to deliver results for them during campaigns. That kind of opportunism is what ultimately pushed me to look elsewhere.”
According to the former senator, her departure was not an abandonment of political engagement but a strategic repositioning.
“I had to ask myself: do I want to remain in a system where I am only seen as useful when convenient, or do I take my experience and my work directly to the people who need it? It was clear to me that I could not continue under those conditions.”
Beyond partisan criticism, Obasanjo called for broader reforms in legislative practice, stronger institutional loyalty, improved gender inclusion, and a deeper commitment to democratic principles in Ogun State and across Nigeria.
Her remarks have since sparked fresh conversations within political circles about constituency loyalty, political consistency, and the future direction of Nigeria’s democracy. Read More
