Former senator Iyabo Obasanjo has thrown her weight behind the use of consensus in selecting party candidates ahead of the 2027 general election, arguing that the method, when properly applied, delivers more electable and broadly acceptable contenders.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the ex-Ogun Central lawmaker rejected fears that consensus automatically sidelines internal democracy. She maintained that party leaders are ultimately guided by the mood of their members and the wider electorate because their overriding objective is to win elections.

“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, stressing that no serious party would deliberately field a candidate who could jeopardise its chances at the polls.

Obasanjo argued that, in practice, consensus tends to gravitate toward aspirants with genuine grassroots appeal. According to her, parties are unlikely to impose unpopular figures, as doing so would alienate key stakeholders and weaken the ticket before campaigns even begin.

“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,” she explained, adding that leaders are aware that choosing the “least popular person” would both anger other aspirants and discourage strong contenders from remaining in the race.

Her defence of consensus is not merely theoretical. Obasanjo is positioning herself for the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket in Ogun State, following her recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party. She said her record in public office and long-standing involvement in governance give her a competitive advantage as the APC begins to shape its strategy for 2027.

She also spoke about the role of her family, particularly former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in her political journey. While insisting on her independence, she expressed confidence that her parents would back her at the polls. “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,” she noted.

The Electoral Act recognises consensus, alongside direct primaries, as a legitimate mode of candidate selection, a provision that continues to influence how major parties structure their internal contests ahead of the next general election.