Ogun Guber: Back Off, Your Security Not Guaranteed, Dapo Abiodun Allegedly Threatens Modele Sarafa Over APC Primaries

ABEOKUTA - The political scene in Ogun state is already taking a heated dimension following an allegation that governor Dapo Abiodun had threatened a co-aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Modele Sarafa-Yusuff, to back off her aspiration or else her security won't be guaranteed.

Sarafa-Yusuff alleged that the threat was passed across to her through a first class Monarch in Ogun State. But she didn't mention the name of the Monarch.

This was revealed following the removal of campaign banner of the governorship fron a pedestrian bridge in the popular Panseke Market in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, allegedly on the order of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Sarafa-Yusuf was an appointee of Dapo Abiodun before she walked away from her duty post following an alleged unfavourable treatment by the Governor.

Sarafa-Yusuf, a former Special Adviser to Abiodun on Communication, had alleged via her verified Twitter handle, @Modelesy, that the removal of her campaign banner was ordered by the Governor.

The marketing communication expert explained that the outdoor advertisement was properly paid for through registered agencies.

She claimed that sources at Ogun State Signage Agency had revealed to her that the the removal of her billboards was directed by Gov. Abiodun.

She argued further that Electoral Act 2022 allows aspirants to campaign by rules and regulations as may be determined by INEC.

According to her, section 95 (2) of the Electoral Act, says "State apparatus including the media shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate..."

She, therefore, requested the advertising agency to replace the materials and urging the government and/or its agents to exercise restraint.

"We have reports that our billboards (properly paid for through registered agencies) are being removed. Ogun State Signage Agency sources say orders to remove are directly from Gov @dabiodunMFR

"Electoral Act 2022 allows us to campaign in accordance with rules & regulations as may be determined by INEC. Section 95 (2) says "State apparatus including the media shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate..."

"I've requested the ad agency to replace the materials and I urge the government and/or its agents to exercise restraint."

Meanwhile, a Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Ola Murtala, challenged Sarafa-Yusuff to stop the allegation against the Governor, describing it as cheap blackmail, lies and deceit.

Murtala in a reaction to Mrs. Modele's Twitter post, said, the woman should stop misleading the public about the peace loving governor.

"@modelesy, please stop this politics of blackmail, lies and deceit. You cannot continue to mislead the general public about a peace loving Governor. @dabiodunMFR is not the type that plays bitter politics which you also know. May God forgive you Madam."

But in her swift reaction, Sarafa-Yusuff who is Governor Abiodun's rival at the APC Governorship primaries, alleged that the governor equally told her to suspend her governorship ambition, else he cannot guarantee her security in the state.

"You mean the governor who told a 1st class traditional ruler to tell me to back off otherwise he "cannot guarantee my security"? You obviously don't know the person you are being paid to defend."

Just last week, a notable PDP governorship aspirant from Ogun Central, Otunba Segun Showunmi attacked a co-aspirant, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu in the media, calling him a "spoilt brat" who is unfit to run for the office of Ogun state governor.