- Abisoye Oyeyemi Oshodi, the Balogun of Eko, has released a detailed genealogical defense of Deputy Governor Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, confirming his deep-rooted paternal and maternal ties to both Epe and metropolitan Lagos.
- The Balogun traced Hamzat’s paternal roots to the 19th-century migration of King Kosoko’s followers to Epe, linking the family directly to the historical Egbe Court and the royal Ajiborisha lineage.
- Addressing claims that Hamzat is an “outsider,” Oshodi cited living witnesses, school records in Epe, and the testimony of elder statesmen like Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi to affirm that the Deputy Governor is a “true son of the soil” qualified to represent Epe in the 2027 race.
As the political machinery of Lagos State begins its intricate dance toward the next gubernatorial transition, the discourse surrounding ancestry and indigeneity has once again taken center stage, proving that in the “Center of Excellence,” one’s roots are often as scrutinized as one’s manifesto.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the current Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, who is now actively campaigning to succeed the incumbent under the Epe Constituency, has found himself at the heart of a brewing controversy regarding his true origins.
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While detractors have begun to circulate claims that the veteran politician is not a “true son of the soil” in Epe, a powerful voice has emerged to set the record straight with historical precision and ancestral depth.
Abisoye Oyeyemi Oshodi, a prominent media personality and the Balogun of Eko, recently released a comprehensive video address to dismantle the doubts surrounding Hamzat’s lineage.
Oshodi’s intervention was not merely a political endorsement but a detailed genealogical lecture aimed at those he described as “lazy” in their pursuit of historical truth.
He asserted with absolute conviction that Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat is a “true Lagosian” whose ties to the state are both paternal and maternal, weaving a narrative that connects the candidate to some of the most significant historical movements in Lagos and Epe history.
According to the Balogun of Eko, the skepticism from the public is largely fueled by a lack of understanding regarding the dual heritage that defines many prominent Lagos families.
He pointed out that a man’s identity is formed by both his father’s and mother’s heritage, noting that Hamzat’s maternal roots are firmly planted in the Okonu Family of Egbe, Lagos.
This maternal link provides a primary anchor to the metropolitan heart of the state, but it is the paternal side that provides the direct connection to the Epe constituency he seeks to represent.
Oshodi explained that the Hamzat family’s presence in Epe is a historical byproduct of the migration that followed King Kosoko to Epe during the mid-19th century.
This migration is a cornerstone of Epe’s identity, and the presence of the Egbe Court and the Okonu family house in Epe stands as physical evidence of this lineage.
The Balogun traced Hamzat’s great-grandfather back to this very settlement, effectively silencing claims that the family is foreign to the area.
To further solidify this claim, he highlighted the connection to Retired General Ajiborisha, the first military administrator of Osun State.
General Ajiborisha, he revealed, is the junior brother of the late Oba Mufutau Hamzat.
This explains why, upon ascending the throne, the late Oba was titled Ajiborisha I, directly linking the Hamzat name to the royal and historical fabric of the region.
Beyond historical records, Oshodi challenged skeptics to verify these claims through living witnesses.
He mentioned that the Deputy Governor’s father attended school in Epe, and contemporaries such as Adisa Osiefa are still alive to corroborate these facts.
Furthermore, he noted that esteemed party leaders like Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi are well-aware of Hamzat’s ancestral background and can attest to his character.
Watch Balogun of Eko Speak HERE
Oshodi described Hamzat as a man who is not only highly educated and cultured but also deeply respectful of elders, a trait highly valued in Yoruba political leadership.
As the campaign gains momentum, this detailed defense serves as a reminder that the history of Lagos is a complex tapestry of migration and settlement.
For the supporters of the Deputy Governor, it is clear that Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat is not an outsider, but a descendant of the very families that helped shape Epe into what it is today.
