March 13, (THEWILL) – Just a week after she announced her intention to contest in the Ogun State governorship election, seasoned broadcaster, Modele Sarafa-Yusuf, now knows what it means to join the murky waters of Nigerian politics. A few days after declaring her governorship ambition at the Adire/Kampala International Market, Asero, Ogun State, the Iyalojas (heads of market women), led by the Iyaloja of Egbaland, Alhaja Kemi Oloyede and the Baba Ojas (heads of market men), were harassed for allowing her to use the venue for her declaration. While reacting to the despicable act, Sarafa-Yusuf recounted a section of the Electoral Act of 2022, specifically section 91, which gives politicians and aspirants the freedom to campaign/declare their intentions anywhere they deem it fit.
“No registered political party in Nigeria, its aspirants or candidate shall be prevented from holding rallies, processions or meetings at any time for their constitutional political purposes, and the Police shall in a consultative manner, resolve any conflict of time and venue between and amongst parties where such arises,” the Electoral Act states.
Also she claims that her political foes dug up an old interview she conducted with the immediate past governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, where the then governor advised her to go into politics, in an apparent reference to a question she asked him. Sarafa-Yusuf also claimed that her political foes insinuated that she was being sponsored to run for political office, perhaps at the behest of her interviewee. Responding to them, she said someone once said that 60 per cent of the Nigerian population are critics and 30 per cent talkers, while the remaining 10 per cent are doers. She claims to have chosen to be part of the 10 per cent in order to do a better job than the incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun is currently doing in Ogun and not because she is being sponsored as is being suggested. A former Special Adviser on Information to Governor Abiodun until she resigned to pursue her interest, Modele in a recent interview revealed that she was emboldened to throw her hat in the ring because her former boss had told her in confidence that he won’t be contesting for a second term. Modele plans to make Ogun the state of choice for people to live, work and play in because of the educational, economic and cultural opportunities, safety, livability, vibrancy and connectedness.
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