Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police and governorship aspirant on the platform of the Accord Party, Fatai Owoseni, has announced his withdrawal from the party’s governorship primary in Oyo State, alleging that the party structure had been hijacked and destabilised by violence and political manipulation.
Owoseni, who also served as Security Adviser to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, made his position known in a statement shared on his X handle on Monday, saying recent events within the party had made it impossible for his governorship ambition to flourish under the Accord Party platform.
Speaking on his decision, the former police commissioner said he arrived at the conclusion “with a heavy but resolute heart,” while addressing party members, supporters, and residents of the state.
“I speak with a heavy but resolute heart, and greet the good people of Oyo State as well as the members and teeming supporters of our party, the Accord Party,” Owoseni stated.
He began by sympathising with victims of the recent terrorist attack in Ogbomoso, describing the incident as a painful tragedy that had left many families traumatised and uncertain about the fate of their loved ones.
“First, my thoughts and prayers are with the families of our people who were victims of the recent terrorist attack in Ogbomoso.
“I commiserate deeply with the families of those who were gruesomely murdered during the attack. I cannot imagine the fear, pain, and uncertainty hanging in the day-to-day activities of the families of those still in captivity,” he said.
Owoseni stressed that the worsening insecurity in parts of Oyo State ought to be the dominant issue in public discourse, rather than political struggles.
“I am not oblivious to the fact that during this difficult period, nothing should be worthy of discussion in the public space other than finding a solution to our security challenges,” he added.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding his withdrawal, Owoseni accused unnamed political actors of orchestrating moves to frustrate his governorship bid from within the party.
“However, in light of the responsibility I owe our teeming supporters, I’m constrained to avail myself of this time to announce my decision to rethink my political company and association with the Accord Party,” he said.
“Within the past twelve hours, ongoing developments in the party point to orchestrated plans to ensure that our gubernatorial aspiration via the platform of the Accord Party is not achieved.”
The former police commissioner further alleged that influential interests had infiltrated the party’s structure at the state level in a bid to maintain political dominance in Oyo State.
“The first is the total infiltration and manipulation of the party structure, especially at the state level, by elements within the state who will go to any lengths to ensure that perpetuity in government is sustained,” he alleged.
He also claimed that violence and intimidation were beginning to define activities within the party.
“Secondly, thuggery and violence are emerging as instruments to destabilise the party to ensure that the entire process is stalemated,” Owoseni stated.
According to him, the combination of internal manipulation and rising tension within the party had left him with no option but to pull out of the race and distance himself from the Accord Party.
“In light of the foregoing and some other issues that will be unveiled in due course, I’m compelled to withdraw and step aside from the Accord Party,” he declared.
Despite his withdrawal, Owoseni maintained that his commitment to the progress and development of Oyo State remained unwavering, assuring supporters that his political vision for the state was still alive.
“I would like to assure our teeming supporters and the good people of Oyo State that the quest for a greater good for a greater majority remains our focus,” he said.
“To our supporters who have believed in this course since its inception, I offer my heartfelt gratitude. Your trust has been a source of strength, and I ask for your understanding at this moment.”
