Modele Sarafa-Yusuf quits APC after losing Ogun governorship ticket

Modele Sarafa-Yusuf, award-winning journalist and former special adviser to Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sarafa-Yusuf announced her resignation from the party in a statement posted on X on Thursday, saying she had informed the APC leadership in Ogun state and submitted her resignation letter.

She said her decision followed an extended period of travelling, spending time with family, and engaging in thought and quiet reflection.

“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, “there comes a time when one must have the courage to reassess one’s path”, adding that she needed to consider how best to continue contributing to Ogun state and Nigeria.

She said her commitment to public service remained undiminished and that she would continue to be guided by the values of service, integrity, inclusion, competence and a genuine desire to make a difference.

“It is, therefore, important to reiterate that I am not stepping away from public service. I am taking the next step in the journey,” she said.

She added that moving forward sometimes required giving oneself the space to reflect, listen and decide with clarity on the direction to take.

Sarafa-Yusuf said she would return to her professional and business commitments after her holiday while taking time to determine the form her next phase of political engagement would take.

“I wish the APC and all those within the party well,” she said.

In February, Sarafa-Yusuf had formally declared her intention to contest the 2027 Ogun governorship election on the platform of the APC.

In an open letter addressed to APC leaders, members and stakeholders in the state and shared on her X handle, she said the decision followed “deep reflection and wide consultation”.

In 2018, Sarafa-Yusuf joined Abiodun’s campaign team for the Ogun governorship election as director of media and publicity.

She oversaw the campaign’s messaging, message planning, media relations, and communications team.

After Abiodun won the election, he appointed her special adviser on information and strategy.

In 2022, Sarafa-Yusuf contested the APC governorship primary in Ogun but failed to secure the party’s ticket.