Former Special Adviser on Security to Oyo State Governor and gubernatorial aspirant in Accord Party, Compol Fatai A. Owoseni, has announced his withdrawal from the party’s primary election, citing alleged infiltration, manipulation, and violence within the party structure ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
Owoseni made his position known in a statement titled “On The Cusp Of A Critical Juncture,” issued in Ibadan on Tuesday, where he said recent developments within the party had made it impossible for him to continue his political aspiration on the Accord Party platform.
The former governorship hopeful, who spoke with what he described as a “heavy but resolute heart,” also extended Eid al-Kabir greetings to residents of Oyo State and members of the party, praying for peace and good health for Nigerians.
He equally commiserated with families affected by the recent terrorist attack in Ogbomoso, describing the killings and abductions as tragic and painful.
“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 noted that although security challenges confronting the state deserved urgent attention above every other issue, he was compelled to address his supporters on the future of his political journey.
According to him, developments within the last twelve hours revealed what he called “orchestrated plans” aimed at frustrating his gubernatorial ambition within the Accord Party.
He alleged that the party structure at the state level had been infiltrated and manipulated by forces determined to sustain “perpetuity in government.”
“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 stated.
He further alleged that violence and thuggery were gradually becoming tools being deployed to destabilize the party and stall its internal processes.
“The second is that thuggery and violence are emerging as instruments to destabilize the party to ensure that the entire process is stalemated,” he added.
In view of the developments, Owoseni declared that he had decided to “withdraw and step aside” from the Accord Party, while hinting that more revelations regarding the crisis within the party would be made public later.
Despite his exit, the politician assured his supporters that his commitment to the development of Oyo State and the pursuit of good governance remained unchanged.
“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.
He also appreciated supporters who had stood by him since the inception of his political movement, thanking them for their loyalty and understanding amid the unfolding situation.
Read full statement below:
ON THE CUSP OF A CRITICAL JUNCTURE
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 (Accord Party). I pray that the Almighty Allah grants us the grace to witness the forthcoming Eid al-Kabir in good health.
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.
I am not oblivious to the fact that during this difficult period, nothing should be worthy of discussion in the public space apart from finding a solution to our security challenges.
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.
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. Even though I chose to ignore the initial signs, two things have now compelled us to pause and take decisive action.
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.
Secondly, thuggery and violence are emerging as instruments to destabilize the party to ensure that the entire process is stalemated.
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.
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. ‘Yiyo Ekun bi T’ojo ko.’
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.
