By Abuja, Nigeria
Former senator Iyabo Obasanjo has said extended stays in political office deprive other citizens of the chance to contribute to governance, insisting that public service should not be treated as a lifelong career.
She made the statement during a visit to the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, where she emphasised that democracy is designed to allow individuals to serve for a period and then return to private life.
According to her, politics should be seen as a call to service rather than a permanent occupation. She urged elected officials to step aside after completing their terms to create space for fresh leadership and broader participation.
Citing Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an example, Obasanjo noted that he served two terms as governor before returning to private business and only later re-entered politics to contest the presidency.
The former lawmaker, who is the daughter of former president Olusegun Obasanjo, recently declared her intention to seek the APC governorship ticket in Ogun State.
She said her decision to return to partisan politics came after sustained appeals from political associates, following years outside active political office. Obasanjo pledged that if elected governor, she would serve a maximum of two terms and then step aside.
She also dismissed claims that her move to the ruling party was influenced by her father, describing the decision as personal and deliberate. According to her, his role in her political ambition would be limited to that of a voter.
