The leadership crisis rocking the Accord Party in Oyo State has deepened, with the state executive and major stakeholders rejecting Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat’s claim to the party’s 2027 governorship ticket.
The party leaders, who spoke at a press conference in Ibadan on Wednesday, insisted that the recognised state executive remains in control of the party’s affairs and that the governorship primary conducted by the recognised structure produced Hon. Kunle Busari, popularly known as Gudugudu, as its candidate.
The meeting was attended by members of the state executive, party leaders and stakeholders from the three senatorial districts. It was presided over by the Oyo State Chairman, Prince Felix Kolade Ojo, alongside the South-West Zonal Leader, Mogaji Igbinsola Sunday Paul, State Secretary, Hon. Yinka Dairo, State Treasurer, Hon. Nurudeen Okunola, and other party leaders.
Addressing journalists, Dairo said the recognised party leadership was not aware of Hamzat as the duly recognised governorship candidate, stressing that he did not participate in the direct primary conducted by the recognised state structure.
He explained that three aspirants – CP (rtd.) Fatai Owoseni, Hon. Kunle Busari and Hamzat were initially involved in the process. According to him, the party first considered a consensus arrangement before eventually opting for a direct primary after consultations with the aspirants.
Dairo said the primary was subsequently held at Bodija, where Busari emerged as the candidate produced by the recognised party structure. He, however, urged restraint because aspects of the dispute are already before the courts.
The State Secretary also dismissed claims that Hamzat had the authority to constitute another state executive or local government party structures, maintaining that the present executive emerged from a duly conducted congress.
He argued that the executive would remain in place until another congress was lawfully conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution.
‘Accord Must Not Be Run by One Person’
The party’s State Treasurer, Nurudeen Okunola, also appealed for respect for the party’s structures and internal decision-making processes.
Okunola, who disclosed that he had previously supported Hazmat, said developments within the party had forced him and other stakeholders to reconsider their position.
He questioned claims that a single individual could determine candidates for all the 32 State House of Assembly seats, as well as party chairmen and other positions across the state.
According to him, political parties are governed by recognised organs and established procedures, insisting that Accord belongs to its members and the people of Oyo State.
The South-West Zonal Leader, Mogaji Igbinsola Sunday Paul, equally rejected the idea that the party’s governorship candidate could emerge through the decision of one individual.
He stressed that membership, party structures, constitutional procedures and the participation of stakeholders were essential to the nomination process.
Igbinsola also denied reports that he had endorsed Hamzat’s position, saying the party leadership had consistently advised all stakeholders to respect its constitution and allow the appropriate organs to perform their responsibilities.
Secretary Raises Waiver, INEC Concerns
Speaking separately after the press conference, Dairo introduced another dimension to the dispute, raising questions about Hamzat’s alleged waiver and the procedure through which his name was reportedly forwarded to INEC.
Dairo alleged that Hazmat did not obtain the required waiver from the state chairman, which he said was necessary under the party’s internal arrangements.
He further claimed that the party obtained certified documents from INEC which, according to him, raised questions about the signatures on a covering letter submitted in connection with the candidate.
Dairo expressed confidence in the case before the court but acknowledged that the matter remained subject to judicial determination.
Igbinsola, in his own remarks, said his decision to distance himself from Hazmat followed what he described as a series of developments that he believed were inconsistent with the party’s established processes.
He alleged that the controversy had also extended to the selection of candidates for the House of Assembly, claiming that stakeholders were not adequately consulted.
He said he initially stood by Hamzat but later returned to the mainstream leadership after concluding that the party’s internal processes were being undermined.
Despite the growing disagreement, the party leaders called on members and supporters to remain calm and united, stressing that the dispute should be resolved through the appropriate political and judicial processes.
They maintained that Accord remains a structured political organisation in Oyo State and urged members to avoid actions capable of further widening the division as the party prepares for the 2027 elections.
