Oriyomi Hamzat has built his reputation across decades of broadcasting in Oyo State. His voice is recognised across Ibadan. His candidacy for the Accord Party governorship in 2027 has placed him at the centre of one of the state’s most watched political contests.

Now, days after a police raid in the Gbeku area of Olodo uncovered suspected armed robbers, firearms, and criminal charms, someone has placed Hamzat’s name next to the operation — and the popular broadcaster is not prepared to let it stand.

What the Police Found
On June 12, 2026, operatives of the Oyo State Police Command descended on a residence in the Gbeku area of Olodo, Ibadan. The target was the home of a man identified as Surajudeen Adio Babatunde, known on the streets as “Surii Ilupeju,” on intelligence linking the location to criminal activity.

The raid produced results. Five men were arrested: Ahmed Nafiu, 43; Olukunmi Olaniyi, 36; Femi Odeyinde, 53; Jelili Akinade, 50; and Muhideen Adio, 27. Firearms, ammunition, and suspected criminal charms were recovered from the property. Ilupeju himself remained at large, classified by police as a wanted suspect.
The operation was straightforward law enforcement work — until social media turned it into something else.

Hamzat’s Name Enters the Story
Within days of the raid, publications began circulating online portraying Ilupeju as an associate of Hamzat. The claims spread rapidly, carried by the speed and reach of social media platforms where context is optional and political motivation is rarely disclosed.

Hamzat responded on Sunday with a detailed public statement, describing what had been written about him as “malicious and mischievous.”
“Ordinarily, I would not dignify such desperate propaganda with a response,” he said. “However, because of the potential for misinformation and the need to set the records straight, it has become necessary to address the falsehoods being peddled by those determined to tarnish my hard-earned reputation.”

The statement was direct and structured — not the response of a man caught off guard, but of someone who understood that silence in a political environment carries its own costs.

The Argument He Is Making
Hamzat’s central position is both legally sound and publicly reasonable: the fact that a person may have had some form of contact or association with him does not make him responsible for that person’s alleged criminal conduct.

“The attempt to suggest that I bear responsibility for the personal actions or alleged criminal conduct of any individual simply because such a person may have had an association with me is both illogical and dishonest,” he said.
“Employment, acquaintance, or social interaction with a person does not confer knowledge of, or complicity in, every aspect of that person’s private life.”

This is a distinction that Nigerian law recognises and that public discourse frequently ignores. Proximity to a suspect is not evidence of involvement in criminal activity. The Nigeria Police Force exists precisely to investigate and determine culpability — a function that social media campaigns cannot and should not replace.

Hamzat made clear he welcomes that process. “Should the police require any lawful assistance from me regarding any investigation, I will not hesitate to cooperate fully,” he said.

The Political Context Nobody Is Pretending to Ignore
Hamzat did not confine his response to legal argument. He named what he believes is actually happening.
“Their intention is obvious: to score cheap political points by creating a false narrative around my person and my aspiration to serve the good people of Oyo State,” he said.

The accusation of political motivation is credible in its context. Oyo State is entering the heat of its pre-election cycle. The 2027 governorship race is already shaping up as a competitive and consequential contest, with multiple parties and candidates positioning for advantage. Hamzat, as the Accord Party’s flagbearer, represents a genuine alternative to the established political order in a state where the legacy of the late Senator Rashidi Ladoja’s movement still carries organisational weight.

Political attacks in Nigeria rarely arrive in the form of policy critiques or ideological arguments. They arrive as character questions, criminal associations, and social media narratives designed to reach voters before the facts do. Hamzat knows this. His Sunday statement reflects that knowledge.

Who Is Oriyomi Hamzat?
For readers outside Oyo State, context matters.
Hamzat is not a peripheral political figure who emerged from obscurity to seek the governorship. He is among the most recognisable voices in Yoruba broadcasting — a media personality whose reach into Ibadan’s communities and surrounding areas has been built over years of consistent public engagement.

His transition into electoral politics follows a pattern increasingly common among Nigerian public figures: the broadcaster who decides that commentary is insufficient and that governance is where change actually happens. Whether that instinct produces effective politicians is a question voters answer at the ballot box.
What it does produce is a candidate with name recognition, a public track record, and — as this week has demonstrated — a reputation worth attacking.

What Happens Next
The Oyo State Police Command’s investigation into the Gbeku raid and the hunt for Surii Ilupeju continues independently of Hamzat’s political situation. The five arrested suspects will be processed through the legal system. Ilupeju remains wanted.

Hamzat’s role in any of that, beyond what he has publicly stated, remains unverified. PUNCH Online, which first reported the matter, confirmed it was unable to independently establish any direct association between the candidate and the suspect.

That matters. In a media environment where allegations become facts through repetition rather than verification, the absence of confirmed evidence is not nothing — it is the appropriate standard.

Hamzat has asked the public to disregard the allegations and allow law enforcement to do its work. He has pledged continued cooperation with security agencies. He has promised that no smear campaign will deflect him from his 2027 ambitions.

“No amount of blackmail, false accusations, or coordinated smear campaigns will distract me from my commitment to the welfare, security, and progress of our dear state,” he said.
The election is still more than a year away. In Nigerian politics, a year is a long time — long enough for more attacks, more denials, and more tests of whether a candidate’s record can survive the political environment that surrounds it.
Hamzat has drawn his line clearly. The 2027 campaign will determine whether voters in Oyo State draw it in the same place.

The streets of Ado-Ekiti are bracing for a political spectacle. On Tuesday, the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion will host what is billed as one of the largest political gatherings in the state’s history.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors from across the All Progressives Congress (APC), ministers, lawmakers, and party leaders will converge to support Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s re-election bid. The rally is not just a show of strength; it is the climax of a campaign that has touched every ward and community in Ekiti.

A Grassroots Campaign Reaches Its Peak
For months, Oyebanji’s campaign has been deeply rooted in grassroots mobilization. His team has moved beyond the usual political rhetoric, engaging directly with artisans, market women, youths, retirees, and traditional rulers. Each stop has been marked by visible enthusiasm, with citizens openly voicing appreciation for his accessibility and humility.

The rally is designed to reflect this broad coalition. It is not only a political event but also a social gathering where diverse groups—from civil servants to religious leaders—stand united behind a governor they believe has delivered on promises.

Why the APC Is Watching Closely
The presence of the Vice President and APC governors underscores Ekiti’s strategic importance. For the ruling party, the state is more than a battleground; it is a symbol of continuity and consolidation. Oyebanji’s administration has been praised for progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and security.

Party leaders see his re-election as vital to sustaining APC’s influence in the Southwest. The rally, therefore, doubles as a national statement of confidence in his leadership.

Achievements That Fuel Support
In four years, Oyebanji has built a reputation for inclusive governance. His policies have emphasized youth empowerment, tourism development, and economic growth. Roads have been rehabilitated, schools upgraded, and healthcare facilities strengthened.

Citizens often highlight his responsiveness—whether in addressing local concerns or ensuring that government programs reach rural communities. This has created a sense of ownership among the people, who now view his second-term bid as a collective project.

A Symbol of Unity
The campaign council describes the rally as more than a political finale. It is framed as a historic affirmation of Ekiti’s resolve to sustain peace and stability. The event is expected to showcase unity across generational and political divides, sending a message that governance in Ekiti has become a shared responsibility.

Security agencies have been mobilized to ensure order, while logistics teams prepare for the influx of supporters from within and outside the state. Organizers stress that the rally should remain peaceful, urging attendees to comply with traffic and safety directives.

Beyond the Pavilion
For many Ekiti residents, the rally is not just about speeches or political endorsements. It is about celebrating a governor who has made himself accessible and relatable. It is about reinforcing the idea that politics can be people-centered.

As thousands gather under the Ekiti sun, the rally will serve as both a campaign climax and a cultural moment—where politics meets community, and leadership is measured not only by promises but by lived experiences.

This mega rally is more than a political event. It is a test of grassroots power, a showcase of APC’s national machinery, and a reflection of Ekiti’s evolving democratic journey. The outcome will not be decided on the stage, but the energy in Ado-Ekiti will echo far beyond the pavilion.

The World Cup clash between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina ended in a stalemate yesterday, with both teams unable to find a decisive breakthrough. The match, played under high tension and watched by thousands of fans worldwide, finished with no winners and no losers.

Canada entered the game with confidence after a spirited performance in their opening fixture. Bosnia and Herzegovina, equally determined, sought to assert themselves as a formidable force in the group stage. From the first whistle, both sides displayed intensity, pressing hard and contesting every ball.

The first half was marked by Canada’s aggressive approach. Their midfield controlled possession, moving the ball quickly and forcing Bosnia’s defense into constant action. Jonathan David threatened with sharp runs behind the backline, but Bosnia’s goalkeeper stood firm, denying Canada’s best chances.

Bosnia responded with counterattacks that tested Canada’s defense. Edin Džeko, the veteran striker, led the line with composure, holding up play and creating openings. His effort midway through the half forced Canada’s goalkeeper into a crucial save, keeping the score level.

The second half mirrored the first, with both teams trading opportunities but failing to convert. Canada’s Alphonso Davies surged down the left flank, using his pace to unsettle Bosnia’s defenders. His crosses, however, lacked the finishing touch. Bosnia’s midfield, led by Miralem Pjanić, slowed the tempo and dictated play, but their shots from distance failed to trouble the Canadian keeper.

As the match wore on, fatigue set in. Both sides tightened defensively, unwilling to risk conceding late. The crowd urged for a breakthrough, but neither team could deliver. The referee’s final whistle confirmed a draw that reflected the balance of play.

For Canada, the result was bittersweet. They showcased energy and determination but lacked clinical finishing. Their coach emphasized the need for sharper execution in front of goal, noting that the team must convert chances to progress further in the tournament.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, meanwhile, expressed satisfaction with the point earned. Their defensive resilience and tactical discipline kept Canada at bay. The coach praised his players for their composure under pressure, highlighting the importance of remaining unbeaten in the group stage.

The draw leaves both teams with work to do. Canada must refine their attacking edge, while Bosnia must find greater creativity in the final third. With group standings still open, every point matters, and this result ensures both sides remain in contention.

Fans in Nigeria and across the globe witnessed a contest defined by grit rather than goals. The match may not have produced a winner, but it delivered drama, tension, and a reminder of football’s unpredictability.

As the World Cup continues, Canada and Bosnia will look ahead to their next fixtures, determined to turn resilience into victory. Yesterday’s encounter proved that in football, sometimes balance is the story, and sometimes a draw is the truest reflection of two evenly matched teams.