The Accord Party governorship candidate in Oyo State, Oriyomi Hamzat, has claimed that he played a major role in bringing Governor Seyi Makinde into the state’s political landscape.
Hamzat, a popular Ibadan-based broadcaster, also said he deserved recognition for the achievements recorded by the Makinde administration, insisting that he supported the governor’s emergence because he believed he would serve the interests of Oyo residents.
He made the remarks while speaking to members of the Accord Party in Ibadan on Saturday, amid growing political differences between him and Makinde ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The relationship between the two men, once regarded as close political allies, has deteriorated as they pursue different political interests.
Hamzat, who is known for his interventionist radio programme, “Kokoro Alate,” said he backed Makinde’s governorship ambition because he believed the governor would work for the people.
He expressed disappointment that he was not being acknowledged for the administration’s accomplishments.
“Seyi Makinde has reformed Oyo. Hence, we are not following you. Who brought Seyi Makinde? I was the one. I was one of those that brought him and supported him as governor.
“All those good things, why don’t you give me the credit? Why is it that it is the unpleasant side that people are using to attack me?
“Those opposition parties now, when they want to speak, they will claim that he did wonderful things, why not credit me for those ones too?” he asked.
Hamzat maintained that his support for Makinde was not motivated by personal benefits or government contracts.
According to him, his only expectation was for residents to acknowledge that the candidate he helped introduce to them had performed well in office.
“People have called me an ungrateful person. How? Is it not the same Oriyomi that came to you to campaign for him (Makinde), the belief you have in me showed in the result of the election.
“I’m not following government because of contracts, I had an agreement with the government that I support that they will take care of the masses. No transactional relationship whatsoever. I just want the people to applaud me that the person I introduced to them is performing well,” he said.
The development comes as political differences between Hamzat and Makinde continue to widen ahead of the 2027 elections.
Makinde, who is serving his second term as governor, has joined the Allied Peoples Movement in preparation for his presidential ambition. He was formally presented as the APM presidential candidate in May 2026.
As part of his succession strategy in Oyo, Makinde has endorsed Bimbo Adekanmbi, a former Commissioner for Finance under the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, as his preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
The APM subsequently adopted Adekanmbi as its consensus candidate, with Makinde saying the arrangement would help sustain his administration’s “Omituntun” agenda.
Hamzat, however, has opted to contest against the succession plan, choosing the Accord Party as his platform to seek the Oyo governorship.
He declared his intention to contest the election in January and later obtained the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms.
His political disagreement with the state government has also occurred alongside controversies surrounding the broadcaster.
In June, the Oyo State Police Command raided a residence linked to Surajudeen Babatunde Adio, popularly known as “Suri Ilupeju,” in the Gbeku area of Olodo, Ibadan.
The police arrested five suspects during the operation and reported the recovery of firearms, ammunition, a locally manufactured bulletproof vest, suspected charms and other items.
Suri, whom the police identified as a former member of the Park Management System, was said to be at large.
The incident later sparked political controversy after some individuals attempted to establish a connection between Suri and Hamzat.
Hamzat rejected the allegation, describing it as an attempt to smear his political ambition.
He said he had never sponsored, encouraged, protected or supported anyone involved in criminal activities and called on security agencies to conduct their investigations without implicating innocent people.
Meanwhile, Hamzat has also unveiled plans for the Ibadan Circular Road and the 1,000-metre corridor project if elected governor.
He pledged to open the road to the public irrespective of the level of completion, but said further work on the project would be suspended until adequate compensation was paid to residents and other affected stakeholders.
