Former Ogun Central Senator, Iyabo Obasanjo, has expressed support for the use of consensus in selecting candidates for political offices ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying the method can produce credible and electable leaders.

Obasanjo, who is seeking the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, made this known on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo dismissed concerns that the consensus system could lead to the imposition of unpopular candidates.

According to her, consensus does not imply that party leaders ignore the views of members or the electorate.

“I do believe that consensus can bring the right candidates because consensus does not mean that leadership ignores the will of the people; consensus means that they look at what the people are saying,” she said.

She added that political parties are usually guided by electoral realities when adopting a consensus.

Obasanjo stated, “No party wants to lose, so the party will not choose people that open them for a loss; does that make sense?

“So, the consensus is going to come towards people that can actually win on the ground, because at the end of the day, the party wants to win.”

Obasanjo also expressed confidence that the consensus arrangement would work in her favour in the race for the APC governorship ticket in Ogun State.

The former senator cited her popularity and previous public service experience as factors that could strengthen her chances.

According to her, the resources she earned while serving as a senator were used to support developmental initiatives for her constituents.

In a previous appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief earlier this month, the 59-year-old politician expressed confidence about her prospects in the 2027 governorship race.

She described herself as a strong contender for the seat.

Obasanjo, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC ahead of the 2027 elections, also spoke about the support she expects from her parents.

She further stated, “I am almost 60; I think that at this age, my friends who still have both parents alive are very few, so I consider myself lucky to have both my mother and my father alive.

“I don’t think at this age I should be consulting them for everything in my career move. What I have said is that my father, I know, and my mother will vote for me; that’s all that I can ask of them.”

“Even if I don’t ask, they will vote for me; that I can guarantee,” she added.

The renewed debate over consensus follows amendments to Nigeria’s Electoral Act, which now allows only two methods for selecting candidates, direct primaries and consensus.

The option of indirect primaries, previously used by many political parties, has been removed under the new law.