Why Gov. MAKINDE Is Angry With ORIYOMI HAMZAT

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There has been tension between Governor Seyi Makinde and popular Ibadan broadcaster Oriyomi Hamzat in the last few weeks. The friction between Governor Makinde and Hamzat stems from a mix of political rivalry, government criticism, and a recent tragic stampede in Ibadan. About 4 years ago, Oriyomi was a close ally to Governor Makinde. These two were friends, and they have worked as a team in the past. The whole issue started a few years ago when Oriyomi and the former Ooni of Ife’s wife, Queen Naomi Ogunwusi, had an empowerment programme with her foundation, and 33 children lost their lives as a result of the stampede. This led to the arrest of both Oriyomi and Queen Naomi, and the governor insisted they must be prosecuted. Afterwards, the two mend fences and they some what became friends.

City People gathered that Governor Makinde feels Oriyomi’s emergence in politics will affect his popularity and votes during elections. One of the governor’s close allies revealed, “The governor can not be happy with such move. How can you work with someone for years and suddenly say you want to pull out and build your own structure? That structure will also emerge from the structure you abandoned.” “The governor has seen his moves years back when he started empowerment. The governor knows he is strong in the grassroots and a lot of people love him. But the governor feels a vote for Oriyomi is a minus to him and that will eventually help the opposition in Oyo State. That is why the governor is very unhappy with him,” our source revealed.

Another reason why Governor Seyi Makinde is angry is that he and his new party in Oyo State, APM, have a strong alliance with Atiku Abubakar. They are likely to work together using all the governor’s structures in Oyo State to deliver during the presidential election. Governor Makinde is currently working hard against the APC in the state and despises anything or anyone who forms an alliance with APC. However, the Accord Party, which Oriyomi Hamzat belongs to, has a strong tie with the President. They have even told those who care to listen that the Accord Party in Oyo, Osun, and other southwest states will vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The incumbent governor of Osun State is in the Accord Party and is also campaigning for President Tinubu’s second term. In fact, President Tinubu’s photos were included on all the billboards of the Osun Accord Party. A few weeks ago, Oriyomi Hamzat vowed that he and his party would work for President Tinubu. There is also a strong alliance between Oriyomi and Olubadan, Oba Rasidi Ladoja. These are some of the reasons Governor Seyi Makinde is angry, and he also feels bad that his state’s Agidigbo FM is being used to demarket him.

The governor feels he also played a role in the success of the FM station when it was launched a few years ago. It is on record that Governor Makinde opened it when it was established. When rumors spread that Seyi Makinde built the station, Oriyomi quickly debunked them. Speaking on air, Hamzat was emphatic in correcting public assumptions. “Agidigbo was not built by Governor Seyi Makinde. I didn’t get any contract from Governor Seyi Makinde, and I’ve never approached Governor Seyi Makinde for personal gains,” he declared. “Anytime I go to the corridor of power, it is not for my own personal gain, it is because of the people.” Recalling the events leading to the commissioning, he said, “I remember 5 years ago when I spoke with Mr. Governor. I told him I wanted him to come on a Thursday, and he said he had somewhere to go, but he will definitely come.” True to his word, Makinde showed up, albeit later than expected. “Though he came late, he came around 5p.m., and people were not angry. They were very happy,” he added.

The crisis became obvious when the ace broadcaster, declared his intention to run for the gubernatorial election under the platform of the Accord Party. Ahead of his declaration rally at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, reports emerged that the Oyo State government allegedly issued an order to stop transport unions from conveying its supporters. Despite the transportation restrictions, the declaration proceeded as massive crowds attended, with Oriyomi relying on the public to trek to the venue. The event formalized his transition from a civic activist and media personality to a frontline political contender. The Oyo State Park Management System (PMS) distanced itself from the event. The PMS Chairman officially clarified that the transport union did not support Dr. Hamzat’s political ambitions and maintained his unflinching loyalty to Governor Seyi Makinde. Many people know that the tensions between the two escalated as Oriyomi Hamzat reportedly began laying the groundwork for his own gubernatorial bid in the 2027 Oyo State elections. Governor Makinde reportedly declined to support this aspiration, which created a political wedge between them. Hamzat was a vocal ally and supporter of Makinde’s political campaigns. However, Hamzat’s political commentaries and his platforms eventually began diverging from the administration, leading to public disagreements over policies and governance. The governor has publicly stated in the past that he feels pained when his administration is criticized by the broadcaster, though he noted they typically reconcile. Over time, their opposing political interests have transformed their once-smooth relationship into a more adversarial political dynamic.

As tension between the two grows, it has been said that Governor Makinde is likely to demolish Agidigbo FM over what they called unapproved titles on the property. This news has generated a lot of debate among many Nigerians. In response to the rumor, Oriyomi Hamzat said that while the powers that be may demolish his radio station in Ibadan, they cannot destroy Oriyomi. He made the statement during a live broadcast on his verified Facebook page, oriyomihamzatlive. According to him, he is aware that certain vested interests uncomfortable with his political ambition may be attempting to intimidate him, but he insisted that he remains unshaken and committed to his convictions. Hamzat said no amount of intimidation or political pressure would force him to abandon what he believes in, stressing that physical structures can be affected, but determination, conviction, and the support of the people cannot be demolished.

Isaac Abimbade

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