Popular Ibadan broadcaster and Accord Party governorship candidate in Oyo State, Oriyomi Hamzat, has claimed that he was among those who helped bring Governor Seyi Makinde into the political arena and supported his emergence as governor.
Hamzat also said he deserved recognition for what he described as the achievements of Makinde’s administration, which he said he helped bring to power.
He made the claims while addressing members of the Accord Party in Ibadan on Saturday, amid growing political differences between him and Makinde ahead of the 2027 general election.
Hamzat, who is known for his interventionist radio programme, Kokoro Alate, said he backed Makinde’s governorship ambition because he believed he would prioritise the interests of Oyo State residents.
He, however, expressed disappointment that he was not being credited for what he described as the successes of the administration.
“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,” Hamzat said.
He questioned why critics of the governor often acknowledged the administration’s achievements while failing to recognise those who supported his emergence.
“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.
‘My support was not transactional’
Hamzat rejected suggestions that his support for Makinde was motivated by personal or financial interests, saying his only expectation was that the government would improve the welfare of residents.
He said he had supported Makinde because he believed the governor would deliver on his responsibilities to the people.
“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,” he said.
Hamzat added that he was not seeking government contracts or other benefits in return for his political support.
“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 comments come amid an increasingly strained relationship between Hamzat and Makinde, who were previously regarded as political allies but now appear to be pursuing different political interests ahead of the 2027 elections.
