A former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, has entered the race for the governorship ticket of the Accord Party in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 election. He joins Ibadan-based broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat, who had earlier obtained his nomination and expression of interest forms.
Owoseni, who recently resigned as Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Seyi Makinde, picked up his forms at the Accord Party secretariat in Yemetu, Ibadan. Speaking after obtaining the forms, he stated that his governorship ambition would not be driven by vote-buying, intimidation, or the monetisation of the electoral process.
Rejecting Money Politics
Owoseni lamented the growing influence of money in Nigeria’s democratic system, warning that the country would continue to face governance challenges if elections remained dominated by financial inducement and self-serving political actors. According to him, leadership should be anchored on integrity, service, and value creation rather than the distribution of money to voters.
“If I sell my car, sell my house, or steal government money to share because I want votes, the people will suffer in the end,” he said. “We must stop reducing politics to money-sharing. Good people must participate in politics if we truly desire development.”
A Commitment to Public Service
Owoseni described his entry into partisan politics as an extension of his commitment to public service, noting that he had spent 35 years serving the country through the police force and remained determined to contribute to the development of Oyo State.
“To me, this is about value addition and continuous service to humanity. Even after retirement, I chose to remain close to my people because I still have something to offer,” he stated.
The retired police commissioner maintained that Nigeria’s leadership crisis remained one of the major factors hindering national development, despite the country’s abundance of talented and capable citizens. He stressed the need for professionals and credible individuals to become more actively involved in governance rather than leaving politics entirely in the hands of career politicians.
Vision for Oyo State
Owoseni said his aspiration was centred on improving the welfare of residents, strengthening public institutions, and sustaining developmental initiatives across the state.
“Oyo State can reclaim its place among Nigeria’s leading states if leaders remain committed to sustainable policies, quality education, and improved welfare for workers,” he said.
He also downplayed the importance of elite endorsements in politics, insisting that genuine political strength lies with the people rather than influential individuals.
“It has become common for politicians to boast about endorsements, but true politics is about connecting with the people and building a genuine movement,” he added.
