A former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State and former Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Oyo State Governor, Fatai Owoseni, has joined Ibadan-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat, in the race for the governorship ticket of the Accord Party in Oyo State.

Oriyomi had picked his Nomination and Expression of Interest forms earlier last week, while Owoseni, who resigned from Governor Seyi Makinde’s cabinet on Thursday, obtained his forms on Saturday.

Speaking while collecting his nomination form at the party’s state secretariat in Yemetu, Ibadan North Local Government Area, Owoseni said his ambition was not driven by vote-buying, political intimidation or the monetisation of the electoral process.

He condemned the growing influence of money in politics, warning that Nigeria’s democratic system would continue to experience setbacks if elections remained dominated by financial inducement and individuals pursuing power for personal interests.

“Leadership should be about service, integrity and value addition rather than financial inducement.

“If I sell my car, sell my house or steal government money to share to people just because I want votes, then the people themselves will suffer in the end.

“We must stop reducing politics to money-sharing. Good people must come into politics if we truly want development.

Owoseni described his entry into partisan politics as a continuation of his lifelong commitment to public service, noting that he spent 35 years serving Nigeria through the police force and still remains committed to contributing to the growth of Oyo State after retirement.

“To me, it is about value addition and continuous service to humanity. Even after retirement, I chose to remain close to my people and my state because I still have something to offer.

“Nigerians are doing great things across the world because we have capable people. The major problem holding us back is leadership. We cannot continue complaining without responsible people getting involved in governance,” he said.

The former CP stressed that politics should not be left entirely in the hands of career politicians, insisting that professionals and credible individuals must participate actively in shaping governance and public policies.

He said his ambition is focused on improving the welfare of the people, strengthening public institutions and ensuring continuity in developmental projects across Oyo State.

“Oyo State has the potential to reclaim its place as one of Nigeria’s leading states if leaders remain committed to sustainable policies, quality education and improved living standards for civil servants.

“Who says we cannot improve the lives of our civil servants? Who says our public schools cannot become strong enough that private schools become optional? Development must be continuous and self-sustaining,” he added.

Speaking on political endorsements and structures ahead of the 2027 election, Owoseni downplayed the significance of elite endorsements, saying true political strength lies with the people.

“It is now common to hear politicians say this person endorsed me or that person supports me. But real politics is about genuine connection with the people and building a movement,” he said. (The Nation)

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