Ace journalist and human rights advocate, Oriyomi Hamzat has truncated his ongoing tour of Europe and is to return to Nigeria to participate in the forthcoming Oyo Gubernatorial elections.
This is amid incessant clamours by the public for the seasoned broadcaster’s return to the country in order to enlighten them as the gubernatorial race in Oyo State nears home and becomes more intense.
It will be recalled that since late February, Hamzat has embarked on a tour of European countries, attending multiple conferences and meeting with his groups of diaspora fans and well-wishers under the umbrella of Oriyomi Hamzat Fam in Diaspora.
The trip, which had him visit France and Spain and was meant to include a tour of Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and Switzerland, has now been abruptly cut short.
In a statement personally signed by him, to his fans group in the affected countries, Hamzat said; “Unfortunately, I have to cut short my trip and return to Nigeria due to the upcoming election and the fake news making rounds that I escaped to France in a bid to evade EFCC arrest.”
News about the purported allegation of misconduct and an arrest by the EFFC broke over the weekend.
“I’ll like to reassure all Nigerians, particularly my people in Oyo State that the EFCC has no arrest in my name whatsoever. I have no reason to be on the run as claimed in the fake news which has been revealed to be sponsored by politicians who detest the fact that I am standing with the people of Oyo State who have made public, their decision to reelect Governor Seyi Makinde for a second term in office,” the statement read in part.
“As you may be aware, the gubernatorial election is one of the most significant electoral events in Nigeria, and as a responsible citizen and a reputable journalist, I feel it is my duty to participate in the process. Therefore, I have to return home to ensure that I exercise my democratic right and to reassure you that I have nothing to run away from. I’ll return to Nigeria before the Gubernatorial election in order to continue to stand by the people and support their wish to re-elect Governor Seyi Makinde.”
Promising to explore Europe at a later date, Hamzat further appealed to his fans in the affected countries to bear with him as “the election has taken priority over” his travel plans.
He noted that his legal team is looking into the possibility of filing a suit against the fake publication and its purveyors and will make public the outcome of the deliberations in due time.
