As Oyo State gradually edges towards the 2027 governorship election, public attention has increasingly settled on the political emergence of Oriyomi Abdulrahman Hamzat, a broadcaster whose transition from media advocacy to partisan politics has stirred debate across social, political and civic spaces.
The recurring chant of “Oyo n pe o,” which gained traction in public discourse in early 2026, has become both a rallying phrase and a point of contention, raising questions about whether it reflects a genuine grassroots call or a carefully nurtured political momentum shaped by Hamzat’s long-standing public visibility.
Hamzat’s formal declaration to contest the governorship under the Accord Party has shifted the discussion from speculation to political reality, positioning him not merely as a commentator on power but as an aspirant seeking direct authority within Oyo State’s political structure.
This development has reopened broader conversations about the influence of media personalities in electoral politics and the increasingly thin line between public engagement, emotional mobilisation and personal political ambition.
Born and raised in Ibadan, Hamzat’s life story is closely tied to broadcasting, having grown up in a household connected to the media through his father’s career with the Nigerian Television Authority, an exposure that shaped his early understanding of communication, public accountability and social influence.
Although his academic training was outside elective politics, his professional journey took him through several media institutions, including The Guardian, the Broadcast Corporation of Oyo State and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, where he gained experience in journalism, public discourse and state-society relations.
In 2021, Hamzat founded Agidigbo 88.7 FM, a radio station broadcasting largely in Yoruba and deliberately positioned as an alternative platform for local voices, community grievances and social accountability within Oyo State.
Through programmes such as Kokoro Alate, the station became widely known for addressing everyday injustices, mediating disputes and amplifying citizen complaints, gradually transforming Hamzat from a broadcaster into a prominent public actor.
Over time, listeners began to associate him not just with media commentary but with advocacy and intervention, a perception that strengthened public trust and expanded his influence across different social groups.
His broadcasting style, however, attracted regulatory scrutiny under the administration of the former governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, during which Agidigbo FM faced equipment seizures and Hamzat himself was arrested and detained over broadcasts considered confrontational.
While supporters viewed these encounters as evidence of his willingness to challenge authority and endure consequences, critics argued that his approach often tested the boundaries of responsible broadcasting, reinforcing the polarised perceptions surrounding his public role.
Hamzat’s relationship with the administration of the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, initially appeared less adversarial, with Agidigbo FM maintaining a functional relationship with the government while retaining space for criticism and public engagement.
This relative balance contributed to the perception of Hamzat as an independent voice rather than a permanent opposition figure, capable of engaging power without aligning fully against it.
Tensions resurfaced in December 2024 following a tragic stampede at a charity event in Ibadan that claimed the lives of several children, an incident that led to Hamzat’s arrest and remand during investigations.
When the Oyo state government later withdrew the charges, public reactions were mixed, with supporters describing the outcome as vindication and critics questioning issues of accountability and proximity to power.
The episode nonetheless marked a turning point in Hamzat’s public trajectory, setting the stage for his eventual declaration to contest the 2027 governorship election.
At his declaration in Ibadan, Hamzat framed his ambition as a reluctant response to sustained public encouragement, arguing that years of advocacy had revealed the limitations of influence without political authority.
He stated that he would no longer mobilise public support for other politicians, presenting his candidacy as an attempt to convert voice into governance and sentiment into policy.
Supporters have interpreted this move as a populist response to public frustration with established political structures, noting his emotional connection with ordinary citizens and his emphasis on empathy, listening and accountability.
Critics, however, argue that Hamzat’s popularity is the result of years of media control and narrative shaping, suggesting that his political entry represents the harvesting of long-cultivated influence rather than a spontaneous public uprising.
Concerns have also been raised about the distinction between emotional mobilisation and administrative capacity, with sceptics questioning whether advocacy and broadcasting experience adequately prepare a candidate for the complexities of governance.
Hamzat has dismissed such concerns, expressing confidence in his readiness to lead and insisting that leadership grounded in trust and public connection can coexist with competent administration.
What remains undisputed is that his entry into the race has altered Oyo State’s political landscape, forcing established actors to contend with a candidate whose influence is rooted more in public sentiment than traditional party machinery.
As the 2027 election approaches, the Oriyomi Hamzat question continues to resist simple categorisation, reflecting the evolving nature of political participation, media power and public expectation in Oyo State’s democratic process.
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