I Can’t Work Against Tinubu, Says Oyo Accord Candidate Hamzat

Oyo State governorship candidate of the Accord Party, Oriyomi Hamzat, has declared he will support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, saying he has no reason to work against him when his party has adopted him.

Hamzat spoke to journalists on Saturday, November 14, 2026, on the sidelines of the University of Ibadan’s 2026 convocation and 78th Foundation Day.

He received a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution there. He is chairman and CEO of Ibadan’s 88.7 Agidigbo FM.

THE FOLARIN VISIT

His remarks followed a visit by former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin, who came to Ibadan to seek his support, and that of Accord members, for Tinubu’s second term.

Hamzat said the party fields no presidential candidate and picked Tinubu to work with, so he cannot go against party guidelines. He added that, as a governorship candidate struggling against big politicians, opposing Tinubu would be counterproductive.

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The claim that Accord adopted Tinubu comes from Hamzat.

NO STEPPING DOWN

Hamzat ruled out withdrawing for another aspirant and said he is contesting. He said he is not desperate for office but determined to serve, and will never step down for anyone. He wants to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde, who is not on the 2027 ballot for governor and now seeks the presidency under the APM.

MEDIATION CENTRES AND A MANIFESTO

He promised to unveil a people-centred manifesto soon. He also pledged mediation centres across all 33 local government areas to settle disputes before they grow into security problems.

He said his postgraduate degree added formal knowledge to the traditional conflict resolution methods he grew up with.

BACKGROUND ON HIS TICKET

Hamzat emerged as Accord’s Oyo candidate after a primary in May 2026. A rival faction led by Chris Imumolen later declared neither he nor Olakunle Busari the party’s valid candidate and promised a fresh primary.

ValidViewNetwork has not seen an update on that dispute, and the party’s national organising secretary insisted Hamzat is the sole recognised candidate.

Hamzat and Makinde have also traded public barbs recently over claims about who helped bring the governor into politics. ValidViewNetwork reports.