As expected, the political atmosphere in Oyo State has entered that phase of uncertainty following the arrest of suspected armed robbery kingpin Surajudeen Babatunde Adio, popularly known as Surii Ilupeju, and the subsequent public alarm raised by broadcaster and founder of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat.
What initially began as a security operation has gradually transformed into a political controversy involving criminal allegations, party symbolism, media influence and the early calculations ahead of the 2027 governorship election. At the centre of the controversy is a simple but explosive question. At the centre of the storm is a question that continues to divide public opinion:
Why is Oriyomi Hamzat sounding the alarm now?
Is he genuinely responding to a threat against himself and his media organisation? Is he the target of a coordinated political campaign? Or has a criminal investigation become entangled in the intense political atmosphere surrounding Oyo’s succession battle? The answer may lie somewhere between the facts already known and the questions that remain unanswered.
The story began when the Oyo State Police Command announced the arrest of suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate allegedly linked to Surii Ilupeju.
According to the police, intelligence-led operations led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles and other items believed to be connected to criminal activities.
At first, the matter appeared straightforward. It was a law enforcement operation targeting suspected criminal elements. Then came a development that changed the conversation. Among additional items recovered by investigators were large quantities of Accord Party hats, shirts and face caps. Almost immediately, public attention shifted from armed robbery allegations to politics. Questions flooded social media.
Why were Accord Party materials found among exhibits recovered from individuals linked to an alleged criminal network? Who owned the materials? Were they connected to legitimate political activities? Or were they evidence of a deeper political relationship? So far, no official answer has been provided. The police have stated that investigations into the ownership and relevance of all recovered exhibits are ongoing. However, in a politically charged environment, unanswered questions often create their own narratives
Shortly after the police announcement, discussions began circulating online attempting to associate Oriyomi Hamzat with the controversy. Hamzat, who recently emerged as the factional Accord Party governorship candidate after a controversial primary process, quickly rejected any suggestion of involvement. He argued that the presence of Accord-branded materials at a location connected to alleged criminals did not automatically establish any relationship between him, his political movement and criminal activities.
His argument was straightforward. Knowing someone, interacting with someone, or having political materials appear somewhere does not constitute proof of criminal involvement. He described the situation as an attempt to create a damaging narrative around his personality and political ambition. But his response did not end the controversy.
Instead, days later, he released a more explosive video. In the viral video, Hamzat admitted to having relationship with the suspect, Suri, he also alleged that there were plans to plant hard drugs inside Agidigbo FM and use individuals disguised as his supporters to create a criminal narrative against him. He claimed some persons could be presented as Accord supporters by dressing them in yellow clothing associated with the party and linking them to criminal activities.
Hamzat did not name those allegedly behind the plot. He did not provide publicly available evidence proving such a plan existed. No security agency has confirmed the allegation. However, the significance of his statement lies not only in the allegation itself but in what it reveals about the political environment.
In every society, individuals interact with people who may later become subjects of criminal investigations. Such interactions do not automatically establish guilt. However, that does not eliminate legitimate public questions. What exactly was the nature of Oriyomi Hamzat’s relationship with Surii Ilupeju? Was Surii merely one of many supporters who moved around political and social circles? Did he participate in political mobilisation activities during the 2023 elections with him? Was he among the numerous grassroots actors often seen around influential politicians and public figures in Oyo State? If so, when did those interactions occur and when did they end? These questions are not accusations.
They are questions that naturally arise whenever a public figure publicly distances himself from someone who later becomes associated with serious criminal allegations. The public deserves clarity, not assumptions. Perhaps the most politically explosive aspect of the entire controversy is the discovery of Accord Party materials among recovered exhibits. Political souvenirs are not unusual in Nigerian politics. Caps, shirts and campaign materials are distributed in large quantities during campaigns and often remain in circulation long after elections. However, their presence in a location connected to alleged criminal suspects inevitably raises questions. Were the materials connected to a political operation? Were they stored there by supporters? Were they abandoned items from previous activities? Or were they entirely unrelated to the criminal allegations under investigation?
At present, nobody knows. The police have not linked the materials to Oriyomi Hamzat personally. They have not accused the Accord Party of criminal wrongdoing. Neither have they publicly identified the owner of the materials. Until investigators provide answers, speculation will continue to fill the vacuum.
Now to the question of Oriyomi’s allegations? In his explosive video, he alleged that there were plans to plant hard drugs within the premises of Agidigbo FM and use individuals disguised as his supporters to implicate him in criminal activities. He also alleged that some people would be dressed in yellow clothing associated with the Accord Party and presented as criminals in order to damage his reputation.
The claims were serious. Extremely serious.
However, they immediately created another set of questions. Who exactly was Oriyomi referring to? Who were the alleged plotters? What evidence exists to support the claims? Did he report the alleged threat to the police? Did he notify the Department of State Services or other security agencies? Were the alleged individuals captured on surveillance cameras? Has any intelligence report been submitted to authorities?
As of now, no evidence has been publicly presented to support the allegations. No security agency has confirmed the existence of such a plot. That does not necessarily mean the claims are false, anyway? But neither does it mean they should automatically be accepted as fact.
Now to the Makinde Question? One of the most striking features of the controversy is that Governor Seyi Makinde was never directly mentioned in Oriyomi Hamzat’s public statements. Yet much of the public conversation quickly interpreted the allegations as referring to the governor or individuals connected to his administration. This raises another important question. Why?
Part of the answer lies in the evolving political relationship between Oriyomi Hamzat and the current political establishment. Over the years, Hamzat has grown from a broadcaster and humanitarian figure into a political actor with governorship ambitions.
At the same time, he was associated with the Seyi Makindeadministration for a considerable period before he began expressing interest in contesting the governorship seat. Since then, the relationship between him and the governor has reportedly become less cordial, a development that has placed him firmly within the wider political contest shaping Oyo State ahead of 2027. However, it is important to separate speculation from evidence.
There is currently no publicly available evidence linking Governor Makinde, his administration or any government official to the allegations made by Hamzat. In the absence of evidence, rumours remain rumours. And political analysis must be careful not to confuse suspicion with proof.
Could Oriyomi Also Be Playing Politics? An objective analysis must ask difficult questions of everyone involved. Not only government. Not only the police. But also Oriyomi Hamzathimself. Politics is often a battle of narratives. Every politician seeks to shape public perception.
By publicly warning of an alleged plot before any action occurs, Oriyomi has effectively created a situation where future investigations involving him could immediately be viewed by supporters as persecution. This does not mean his fears are fabricated. But it does highlight the political value of such warnings.
In politics, perception can be as powerful as reality. Some supporters view his alarm as an act of self-preservation. Critics see it as a strategy to build sympathy and pre-empt scrutiny. Both interpretations exist because evidence remains limited. What About the Police Investigation? Lost amid the political noise is the original issue that triggered the controversy. The police operation itself.
Weapons were reportedly recovered. Vehicles were reportedly recovered. Suspects were arrested. Investigations remain ongoing. However, public discussion has largely shifted away from the criminal allegations and toward political interpretations. This creates another concern. Are we paying enough attention to the criminal case itself? Who are the victims of the alleged crimes connected to the suspects? What evidence exists against those arrested?
Will prosecutions follow? Will the public ever know the final outcome of the investigation?These questions are just as important as the political debate. Justice should not become a casualty of political controversy.
Why Oriyomi Matters in Oyo Politics?Regardless of where one stands on the controversy, there is little doubt that OriyomiHamzat has become one of the most influential non-traditional political figures in Oyo State. Through Agidigbo FM, humanitarian interventions and years of public engagement, he has built something many politicians spend decades trying to achieve: emotional connection with ordinary people. His influence extends beyond party structures.His platform shapes conversations. His opinions generate reactions. His support base cuts across traditional political boundaries. That influence makes him politically significant. However, it also means he will face greater scrutiny than an ordinary citizen. Influence attracts attention. And in politics, attention often attracts controversy.
Now, the real issue may not be whether Oriyomi Hamzat is afraid. The real issue is whether the public has enough facts. The police must explain the significance of the Accord Party materials recovered during the operation. Investigators must establish ownership and relevance rather than leave the public to speculate. At the same time, Oriyomi Hamzat owes the public greater clarity regarding the allegations he has made. If there is evidence of a conspiracy, it should be presented to security agencies and the public. If there is no evidence, public figures must be careful not to create fear through claims that cannot be substantiated. Equally important, citizens must resist the temptation to replace facts with rumours.
There is currently no evidence linking Oriyomi Hamzat to criminal activities connected to Surii Ilupeju. There is also no evidence confirming his allegation of a plot to frame him. Both realities can exist at the same time. As Oyo moves closer to 2027, the challenge will be ensuring that criminal investigations remain criminal investigations and political contests remain political contests. The battle for power may already be underway. However, the people of Oyo deserve evidence, accountability and truth not suspicion, speculation and fear.