Governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) in Ogun State, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, has pledged to promote industrial expansion into rural communities if elected governor, saying the move will help decongest major urban centres and boost economic development across the state.
She stated this on Saturday during a media parley organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at its secretariat in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
According to her, spreading industrial projects beyond urban corridors such as the Lagos–Ibadan and Lagos–Abeokuta expressways will not only reduce pressure on existing infrastructure but also stimulate growth in underserved communities.
Obasanjo said Ogun State already holds a strong position as an industrial hub in the South-West, particularly in terms of industrial output and internally generated revenue (IGR), but argued that more balanced development would accelerate job creation and improve economic sustainability.
“If we take industrial expansion to rural areas and new towns, it will drive development, create employment opportunities and increase IGR for both local and state governments,” she said.
Responding to questions about her motivation for joining the governorship race, the former senator said her decision was influenced by public demand and a sense of duty to contribute to governance in the state.
She said her experience in public service and long-standing engagement with the people of Ogun State had strengthened her resolve to contest.
Obasanjo also addressed suggestions that she may be relying on the influence of her late father, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to advance her political ambition, dismissing the claim.
“I can stand on my own in Ogun State; I am the best of the best. If I wanted to use my father’s influence, I would not have started as a commissioner or returned to Abeokuta, considering I was born and raised in Lagos,” she said.
She maintained that her political journey has been based on personal effort, noting that she has supported several candidates in previous elections and built her own grassroots following over time.
Obasanjo added that she has never relied on her father’s name to secure political appointments or elective positions.
Speaking on education, the aspirant commended the standard of university education in Ogun State but expressed concern over what she described as a decline in secondary school education.
She pledged to work with relevant stakeholders to restore secondary education to a standard that adequately prepares students for tertiary institutions.
“The university system is strong, but secondary education has not maintained its former quality. We must address this gap to ensure better outcomes,” she said.
The APC aspirant also clarified that she is solely interested in contesting for the governorship seat, dismissing speculation that she may step down for a lesser position.