Broadcaster-turned-politician calls allegations a smear campaign, vows to cooperate with police investigations.

Oriyomi Hamzat, a popular broadcaster and the Accord Party governorship candidate in Oyo State, has denied any involvement with a police-wanted suspect, Surajudeen Babatunde, popularly known as “Surii Ilupeju.”

Hamzat described attempts to link him to the suspect as a malicious smear campaign.

He issued the clarification in a statement on Sunday in response to a publication circulating on social media alleging an association between him and the suspect.

According to him, the publication was aimed at tarnishing his reputation and creating a false narrative around his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.

“My attention has been drawn to a malicious, 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 record straight, it has become necessary to address the falsehoods being peddled by those determined to tarnish my hard-earned reputation,” Hamzat said.

He stated that he had never sponsored, encouraged, or supported anyone involved in criminal activities.

“Let me state categorically that I have never, at any time, sponsored, encouraged, or supported any individual involved in criminal activities,” he added.

“Throughout my public life as a broadcaster, humanitarian, and now gubernatorial candidate of the Accord Party, I have consistently stood on the side of justice, truth, and the rule of law.”

The controversy follows a police operation on June 12, 2026, when operatives of the Oyo State Police Command raided a residence in the Gbeku area of Olodo, Ibadan.

The raid targeted Ilupeju’s residence based on intelligence linking the location to criminal activities. During the operation, authorities arrested five suspected armed robbers and recovered firearms, ammunition, and suspected charms.

The suspects were identified as Ahmed Nafiu (43), Olukunmi Olaniyi (36), Femi Odeyinde (53), Jelili Akinade (50), and Muhideen Adio (27).

Hamzat urged the public to allow security agencies to carry out their investigations without dragging innocent individuals into criminal matters for political or personal reasons.

He stressed that the Nigeria Police Force remains the appropriate institution to investigate criminal allegations and determine culpability, adding that he is willing to cooperate with law enforcement agencies if required.