May 27, (THEWILL) — Former Lagos and Benue State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, has withdrawn from the governorship primaries of the Accord Party in Oyo State, citing what he described as undue infiltration of the party structure by external forces and the growing influence of violence and thuggery in the process.
Owoseni, in a personally signed statement titled “On the Cusp of a Critical Juncture,” announced that he would no longer participate in the party’s governorship primaries, saying the decision became necessary to preserve the ideals and principles he had built over the years.
The retired police commissioner also disclosed that he was reconsidering his continued association with the Accord Party following what he termed disturbing developments within the party.
He opened the statement with condolences to victims of a recent terrorist attack in Ogbomoso and their families, before turning attention to the political crisis that led to his withdrawal from the race.
According to him, two major factors informed his decision. He alleged that the Accord Party structure, particularly in Oyo State, had been infiltrated and manipulated by interests determined to sustain “perpetuity in government.”
Owoseni further accused unnamed forces of engineering plans to frustrate his governorship ambition through orchestrated actions aimed at compromising the integrity of the primary process.
“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,” he stated.
He added that further revelations regarding the internal crisis and alleged manipulation within the party would be disclosed at a later stage.
The former police commissioner also decried the emergence of violence and thuggery as tools allegedly being deployed to destabilise the party and undermine internal democratic processes.
He warned that such developments posed grave dangers not only to the party but also to the broader democratic culture in the state.
Despite his withdrawal, Owoseni assured supporters that his commitment to the pursuit of good governance and the welfare of the people remained intact.
“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,” he said.
He ended the statement with a Yoruba expression, “Yiyo Ekun bi T’ojo ko,” suggesting restraint and patience in the face of provocation and unfolding events.
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