Hon. Qudus Ajibola Ibrahim (QAI), Oyo state house of Assembly, ona Ara constituency under Accord Party, has hailed the growing popularity and political courage of popular media personality, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat and that of the accord party in Oyo State, following his formal declaration to contest the 2027 governorship election on the platform of the party.
Hamzat, widely known as the host of the influential Kokoro Alate programme, officially announced his intention to join partisan politics on Saturday at a massive rally held at the historic Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, where he was formally received into the Accord Party by the party’s state leadership and chieftains amid loud cheers from supporters. The event, which drew thousands of supporters from across the state, was also attended by key Accord Party leaders, youth and women groups, traditional figures, aspirants into other positions and notable political stakeholders.
The rally marked Hamzat’s first formal entry into active politics after months of public speculation fueled by the slogan “Oyo ń pè ọ́” (“Oyo beckons”) and his growing engagement with grassroots movements across the state.
Addressing the crowd shortly after being officially welcomed into the party, Hamzat described his decision to run for office as a spiritual and moral obligation rather than a political ambition.
> “I never imagined I would join a political party, let alone contest an election. I have always been a supporter and cheerleader for aspirants and candidates, but God had other plans,” he said.
He announced that he would no longer mobilise support for other aspirants in the 2027 election cycle, stressing that he would personally seek the governorship ticket under the Accord Party.
“Today, I am publicly declaring my intention to join Accord as my political platform and to contest the Oyo governorship election in 2027 as a candidate,” Hamzat stated.
In a moment that drew loud applause from supporters, he dismissed claims that his ambition was driven by wealth or political backing.
“I don’t have money or political connections, and I don’t have the backing of the government of the day. I have come with God, and that is all I need,” he added.
Hamzat attributed his popularity to years of advocacy for ordinary citizens, especially the oppressed, through his media work.
“I have always used my platform to amplify the voices of the people. Now, I am taking a step further to serve you and to deliver development projects to the people of Oyo State,” he concluded.
Later on Saturday night, Hamzat reinforced his message on social media platform X, posting:
“My good people of Oyo State, your call has been answered. Interesting time ahead.”
Reacting to the development, Hon. Ajibola who was present at the event praised Hamzat’s statewide acceptance, describing it as a reflection of the Accord Party’s growing grassroots strength.
“What we witnessed at Liberty Stadium today is not just a declaration; it is a movement. Oriyomi Hamzat’s popularity across Oyo State shows that the people are hungry for leadership that listens, feels their pain, and speaks their language,” Ajibola said.
Speaking on his own political ambition, the Ònà Àrà State Constituency aspirant said he remains committed to representing his people on the platform of inclusive governance and community-driven development.
“My aspiration to represent the good people of Ònà Àrà is anchored on service, accessibility, and accountability. Together, with the energy and acceptance we are seeing across the Accord Party, we can build a stronger voice for our communities in 2027,” Ajibola added.
Among those present at the rally were prominent Accord Party chieftains, former lawmakers, youth leaders, market association heads, and representatives of traditional institutions from Ibadan, Ogbomosho, Oyo, Oke-Ogun, and Ogbomoso zones. Civil society advocates and media personalities were also spotted at the event, lending further weight to the political significance of Hamzat’s formal reception and declaration.
Political analysts say the endorsement and warm reception from figures like Ajibola signal a potential realignment within the state’s opposition space as the countdown to the 2027 general elections begins.
With Hamzat’s formal entry into the Accord Party and Ajibola’s bid for the Ònà Àrà State Constituency seat, the party appears poised to play a more prominent role in shaping Oyo State’s political landscape in the coming months.