…Says her political allegiance remains with former Oyo Assembly Speaker, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu
The Special Assistant on Education to the Oyo East Local Government, Kosobo, Hon. Hamzat Tawakalitu Iyabode, has publicly clarified her political position, declaring that Senator Monsurat Sunmonu remains her leader while distancing herself from the leadership of Alhaji Adebisi Olopoenia.
Hamzat, who made her position known while speaking on her political affiliation in a phone conversation with Heritage Echo News, said her loyalty and political orientation are firmly aligned with Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, a former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly and Senator.
The declaration is coming against the backdrop of evolving political alignments in Oyo East and across Oyo State, where political actors, community stakeholders and supporters have continued to realign and identify with different political leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Hamzat, her recognition of Senator Sunmonu as her political leader is based on her personal conviction and established relationship with the former lawmaker. She therefore made it clear that she does not recognise Olopoenia as her political leader.
The Oyo East Local Government aide stressed that political leadership, for her, goes beyond mere association or public appearances, noting that it is also about identifying with a leader whose political direction, values and contributions she believes in.
She described Senator Sunmonu as the political figure she looks up to and whose leadership she continues to recognise, adding that her position should be understood within the context of her personal political choice.
Hamzat’s declaration also represents a clear attempt to put her political affiliation on record at a time when political activities are gradually intensifying across Oyo State ahead of the 2027 elections.
As political parties and their various support structures continue to consolidate their bases across the state’s local government areas, the question of political leadership and loyalty remains an important feature of the emerging political landscape.
In Oyo East, where several political stakeholders and interest groups are active, declarations of allegiance by individuals occupying public and political positions are increasingly attracting attention as the 2027 political season approaches.
Hamzat, who currently serves as the Special Assistant on Education to the Oyo East Local Government, Kosobo, reiterated that her position should not be interpreted as an attempt to create unnecessary controversy but as a clarification of where she personally stands in the political leadership structure.
She maintained that Senator Monsurat Sunmonu is her leader, stressing that she remains committed to the political relationship and leadership she has chosen to identify with.
Her declaration is expected to add another dimension to the ongoing political realignments in Oyo East, particularly as stakeholders continue to mobilise supporters, build alliances and articulate their respective political positions ahead of 2027.
The development further underscores the fluid nature of political affiliations in the state, where individuals and groups continue to publicly define their preferred leaders and political associations as preparations for the next electoral cycle gather momentum.
For Hamzat, however, the position is clear: her political leadership remains with Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.
