The race for Ogun State’s 2027 governorship is taking shape, with a notable focus on four female politicians vying to become the state’s first female governor since its creation in 1976. Over 15 aspirants across parties are positioning themselves to succeed Governor Dapo Abiodun, but the ambition of these women highlights a potential historic shift in a state with a legacy of female leadership in other roles.
Ogun has a record of pioneering women in politics, including Nigeria’s first elected female local government chairman, multiple female deputy governors, and a female speaker. The governor’s office, however, remains an all-male domain. Breaking this jinx is a central theme in the current political calculations.
The most prominent aspirant is incumbent Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele. The 60-year-old civil engineer from Ogun West has not formally declared, but her supporters’ posters and slogans signal intent. Her position provides a strategic advantage, yet she must navigate the historical difficulty of deputy governors succeeding their principals. Ogun West, her region, has never produced a governor, which could bolster her support.
Also in the race is Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, 59, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. A former Commissioner for Health and Senator, she recently defected from the PDP to the APC after a 15-year hiatus spent in academia in the United States. Her return has energized her base, though critics question her current grassroots connection. She emphasizes continuity in governance and pledges to elevate women to decision-making roles.
Modele Sarafa-Yusuf, 59, a veteran journalist and former Special Adviser to Governor Abiodun, resigned in 2023 to pursue the governorship. She declared her APC aspiration publicly in February, framing her campaign as a stabilising force for party unity. Sarafa-Yusuf stresses deliberate leadership and the need to move beyond symbolic politics, stating her run aims to pave the way for future women leaders based on competence.
Dr. Bolaji Marie Odusina, a 62-year-old paediatrician based in the United States, has built a following through humanitarian medical outreaches in rural Ogun. She recently announced her intention to run, focusing her platform on healthcare, maternal mortality, and economic empowerment. Her challenge lies in converting public goodwill from her medical missions into a viable political structure and securing a party platform.
All four women face significant hurdles, including building robust political machinery, overcoming entrenched gender biases, and securing party tickets in a crowded field. Their collective ambition underscores a broader national conversation about women’s representation, as no woman has ever been elected governor in Nigeria. The 2027 Ogun election will thus be closely watched as a test of whether a state with a history of female political achievement can finally elect a woman to its highest office. The outcome may influence the trajectory of women’s political participation across the country.
