August 9, 2026 | 1:05 PM
Popular Ibadan broadcaster and Accord Party governorship candidate, Oriyomi Hamzat, says he played a key role in bringing Governor Seyi Makinde into politics and deserves credit for the achievements of his 8-year administration.Hamzat made the claim on Saturday while addressing Accord Party members in Ibadan.
This comes as his once-close relationship with Makinde continues to sour ahead of the 2027 elections.The host of the popular “Kokoro Alate” intervention programme said he backed Makinde’s governorship ambition because he believed he would serve the people of Oyo State.“Seyi Makinde has reformed Oyo. So we are not following you. Who brought Seyi Makinde? I was the one. I was among those who brought him and supported him to become governor,” Hamzat said.
“All those good things he did, why won’t you give me credit? Why is it only the bad side that people use to attack me? When opposition parties praise him, why can’t they also credit me?” he asked.The broadcaster insisted his support for Makinde was not for personal gain.
“People call me ungrateful. How? Was it not me that campaigned for him? The trust people had in me reflected in the election results. I’m not with government because of contracts. Our agreement was that he would take care of the masses. I just want people to acknowledge that the person I introduced to them is performing,” he added.
The rift comes as Makinde, now in his second term, has moved to the Allied Peoples Movement to pursue a presidential bid in 2027. He was unveiled as APM’s presidential candidate in May 2026.For Oyo governorship, Makinde has endorsed former Finance Commissioner, Bimbo Adekanmbi, as his successor. APM has adopted Adekanmbi as its consensus candidate to continue the “Omituntun” agenda.
Hamzat, however, is running for governor on the Accord Party platform. He declared his ambition in January and has picked the party’s nomination forms.
The political fallout has also coincided with controversies. In June, police raided a house linked to Surajudeen “Suri Ilupeju” Adio in Olodo, Ibadan, arresting 5 suspects and recovering firearms.
Attempts were made to link Suri to Hamzat, which he denied as a smear campaign against his ambition.Speaking on development, Hamzat promised to open the Ibadan Circular Road and its 1,000-metre corridor for public use if elected, but said construction would pause until affected residents are properly compensated.
