Popular broadcaster and Accord Party governorship candidate in Oyo State, Oriyomi Hamzat, has denied any involvement with a police wanted suspect, Surajudeen Babatunde, popularly known as “Surii Ilupeju,” describing attempts to link him to the suspect as a malicious smear campaign.
Hamzat made the clarification in a statement issued on Sunday in response to a publication circulating on social media alleging an association between him and the suspect.
He said the publication was aimed at tarnishing his reputation and creating a false narrative around his political aspiration ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
“My attention has been drawn to a malicious and mischievous publication circulating on social media seeking to drag my name into a criminal matter involving an individual identified as Surajudeen Adio Babatunde, popularly known as ‘Surii Ilupeju.
“Ordinarily, I would not dignify such desperate propaganda with a response. However, because of the potential for misinformation and the need to set the records straight, it has become necessary to address the falsehoods being peddled by those determined to tarnish my hard-earned reputation,’” Hamzat said.
