A former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Modele Sarafa-Yusuf, has resigned from the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sarafa-Yusuf, who previously served as Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, announced her resignation on Thursday after informing the APC leadership in the state and submitting a formal resignation letter.
The former broadcaster said her decision followed an extended period of travelling, spending time with her family and engaging in “thought and quiet reflection” about her political future.
She, however, said leaving the APC did not mean she was abandoning public service, describing the move as taking “the next step in the journey.”
“My time in the APC has been an important part of my political journey, and I am grateful for the people I have met, the relationships I have built and the experiences that have shaped my understanding of public service and leadership,” she said.
Sarafa-Yusuf said she had reached a point where she needed to review her political path and decide how best to contribute to the development of Ogun State and Nigeria.
She maintained that her commitment to public service remained unchanged and was based on “service, integrity, inclusion, competence, and a genuine desire to make a difference.”
She also said she would return to her professional and business activities after her holiday while deciding on the direction of her next political engagement.
Her resignation comes after her previous attempt to secure the APC governorship ticket ahead of the 2023 election.
In an earlier open letter announcing her ambition to contest the 2027 governorship election, Sarafa-Yusuf said her decision was based on “deep reflection and wide consultation.”
She recalled that after losing the APC ticket in 2023, she accepted the outcome and continued to support the party instead of working against it.
However, she said circumstances in Ogun State had changed, creating new political concerns that required a fresh assessment of the state’s future.
Sarafa-Yusuf said her renewed political ambition was not driven by “unfinished business” but by concerns about the future of the state, including possible divisions within the ruling party.
She also promised to maintain a “cordial and respectful relationship” with Governor Abiodun, whom she recognised as the APC leader in Ogun State.
“This is not a candidacy designed to undermine any of our leaders or rewrite the past. It is designed to protect what works and improve what must be improved — without rupture,” she had said.
The former aspirant also spoke about the issue of zoning, particularly calls by people from Ogun West Senatorial District for power to move to the area.
She called for “inclusion without escalation,” warning that unresolved political grievances could cause instability in the state.
Meanwhile, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has already emerged as the APC’s consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Adeola was adopted as the party’s candidate on April 13 at an APC strategic caucus meeting held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta.
The meeting was attended by APC leaders in the state, including Governor Abiodun, who unanimously backed Adeola’s candidacy.
