Retired sports journalist Modele Sarafa-Yusuf has declared her intention to run for the office of governor of Ogun State in 2027.
In an open letter on her official X account on Thursday, Sarafa-Yusuf announced her gubernatorial bid, framing it as a stabilising force amid the risks of party fracture, drawing on her 2022 experience, in which she accepted defeat without destabilising relations.
In the letter addressed to the distinguished leaders, members, and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ogun State, she said: “After deep reflection and wide consultation, I have decided to make myself available to serve as our party’s candidate for Governor, Ogun State, in the 2027 elections.
“I chose this system of declaration deliberately to be public, honest, and focused on responsibility rather than spectacle. And I will speak plainly.
“Each generation is tested by history in different ways. Ours is being tested by how well we manage growth, equity, and continuity, how we ensure that Ogun State does not merely expand but truly develops; not just for some, but for all.
“Ogun State is blessed with industry, blessed with intellect, blessed with culture, and blessed with strategic relevance to the nation. Yet we all know that blessings alone do not guarantee progress. Progress requires deliberate leadership, balance, and trust among our people. It requires continuity.”
Sarafa-Yusuf explained that she wants to share a vision rooted in unity, competence, and fairness, adding that for many months, she has listened carefully, not just to social media noise, but to those who understand how Ogun State works, how power transitions succeed or fail, and what instability costs.
According to her, the feedback has been consistent, explaining that: “This cycle carries more risk than usual. I am therefore writing you today because when risk rises, those who value continuity and institutional balance must not remain silent.
“Many of you know my political history. In 2022, I stepped forward to run for the office of the governor. I did not prevail. However, I did not destabilise the system. I accepted the outcome, preserved relationships, and stayed engaged.
“That experience clarified two things for me: where the red lines are, and what it takes to compete without fracturing the party or the state.”
She clarified that this is, however, not a return driven by unfinished business but a response to a different political environment.
Sarafa-Yusuf said what Ogun State needs is inclusion without escalation, adding that loud politics can mobilise quickly and collapse just as quickly, leaving damage behind.
She said her concern is not electoral victory alone, but it is governability after victory, adding that: “Ogun State has always rewarded moderation, balance, and institutional respect. When politics becomes theatre, governance suffers and so does party cohesion, public trust, and investor confidence.”
Speaking on gender, she said she is aware that her candidacy carries a gender dimension; however, she does not underestimate it or overplay it.
“Nigeria has never elected a female governor, and I’m aware of the weight of breaking that ceiling. To that extent, my aspiration isn’t just about me; it’s about paving the way for future generations of women leaders in Ogun State and Nigeria at large. However, this is not about symbolism. It is about capacity and competence,” Sarafa-Yusuf said.
