By IBUKUN EMIOLA

Accord party governorship candidate in Oyo State, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat has said that he won’t step down for any opponent, reaffirming his resolve to contest the 2027 election.

Hamzat made the declaration in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of the ongoing convocation ceremonies of the University of Ibadan on Saturday.

He dismissed suggestions that he could abandon his ambition, saying his decision to contest was driven by his determination to serve the people of the state.

“I am not desperate to be in position, but I am determined to serve my people. I will never step down for anyone,” he said.

The governorship candidate said his political ambition remained intact despite the political alignments and negotiations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

On his party’s relationship with President Bola Tinubu, Hamzat explained that Accord’s decision to work with the President was taken unanimously, noting that it does not have a presidential candidate.

He said that supporting Tinubu was consistent with the party’s decision and did not constitute anti-party activity.

“The reason why I am working with Tinubu is because that is what my party wants and besides I needed a stronger ally considering other candidates strength,” the governorship candidate said.

However, Hamzat described the rainbow coalition as a strange and unclear political arrangement.

“I don’t fully understand the terminology “rainbow coalition”, which is being commonly used by some politicians in recent times,” he said.

Hamzat said that his immediate focus remained his governorship ambition and his commitment to pursuing it under the Accord Party.

The governorship candidate said that his manifesto, which he described as people-centred, would soon be presented to the public.

According to him, the policy document places emphasis on welfare, grassroots development, peace and security.

He added that his administration if elected would establish mediation centres across the state’s 33 local government areas to resolve disputes before they escalated into major conflicts. (NAN)