By Feyisetan Hamzat
The crisis rocking the Accord Party in Oyo State has taken another turn following a fresh challenge to the governorship ambition of popular broadcaster Dr. Oriyomi Hamzat.
The G50, a grassroots political stakeholder group in Oyo State, has reaffirmed its support for the Accord structure aligned with the party's National Secretary, Hon. Adebukola Ajaja, and State Chairman, Prince Kolade Ojo, while rejecting what it described as an attempt by Hamzat to hijack the party's structure.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 7, the group argued that Hamzat should not be regarded as the duly recognised governorship candidate of Accord, insisting that Olakunle Busari, popularly known as Gudugudu, emerged winner of the governorship primary conducted under the structure it recognises.
The G50 urged party members and the public to be cautious about publications presenting Hamzat as the officially recognised candidate, particularly while the dispute surrounding the party's governorship ticket remains unresolved.
How the Crisis Started
The disagreement over Accord's Oyo governorship ticket dates back to the party's governorship primary in May, when parallel primary elections were conducted by different factions.
One faction, monitored by Accord's National Secretary Adebukola Ajaja and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, declared Olakunle Busari the winner.
Another faction subsequently declared Oriyomi Hamzat winner and presented him with a certificate of return. At the time, TheCable reported that the national leadership of the party had yet to issue a unified position on the competing claims.
Hamzat's camp has continued to maintain that he is Accord's governorship candidate. Indeed, his political activities have continued, with the broadcaster undertaking a series of engagements across Ibadan as part of his 2027 campaign.
In August, a communication from the Oyo State Accord structure associated with Hamzat also dismissed reports that he had withdrawn from the race, insisting that he remained the party's governorship candidate.
Now, the Battle Has Moved Beyond the Primary
The latest intervention by the G50 adds another layer to the dispute.
The group said the Accord Party belongs to its members, grassroots stakeholders and duly elected structures, arguing that no individual should be allowed to take control of the party for personal political interests.
It also referred to ongoing legal proceedings concerning representations about the governorship ticket.
The dispute has already reached the courts. In August, Accord chieftain Olakunle Busari approached the Federal High Court in Ibadan seeking an order to remove Hamzat as the party's governorship candidate.
Who Really Carries the Accord Ticket?
This is now the central question.
While Hamzat has been publicly campaigning as Accord's candidate and some Accord structures have continued to recognise him, another faction insists that Busari emerged from the valid primary and remains the party's authentic candidate.
There is therefore a crucial distinction between being presented or recognised by one faction of a divided party and having the ticket conclusively settled across the party's competing structures and legal processes.
That distinction is particularly important for voters and political observers as the 2027 election approaches.
Another Twist in the 2027 Oyo Race
The development adds another layer of uncertainty to an already competitive governorship race.
Hamzat has built considerable public recognition through his years in broadcasting and his grassroots engagement, and his campaign has continued to expand its political activities.
But the unresolved Accord dispute could become a significant challenge if the party fails to establish a single, legally settled candidate and unified structure.
For now, Oriyomi Hamzat remains active in the 2027 race, but the question of whether he will ultimately fly the Accord flag is still being contested by rival party structures and through legal channels.
The G50's latest declaration does not, by itself, settle the dispute.
What it does show is that the battle for Accord's Oyo governorship ticket is far from over.
And with 2027 drawing closer, the party may have to resolve its internal battle before it can fully focus on the larger battle for Agodi Government House.
Source: Western Daily News, TheCable, The Guardian, Premium Times, ITV online.
