Oriyomi Hamzat smear campaign claims are baseless, the Accord governorship candidate says while denying links to a police wanted suspect.
Oyo State Accord governorship candidate, Oriyomi Hamzat, has dismissed allegations linking him to a police wanted suspect, describing reports circulating on social media as a malicious attempt to damage his reputation and derail his political ambition.
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Hamzat made the remarks in a statement issued in Oyo State, where he denied any involvement with the alleged criminal activities of Surajudeen Adio Babatunde, popularly known as “Surii Ilupeju”, and urged the public to disregard what he called a campaign of misinformation.
The broadcaster and humanitarian said the publication sought to falsely associate him with a criminal matter involving the suspect, insisting that he had never sponsored, encouraged, protected or supported any individual engaged in unlawful activities.
According to Hamzat, his public life has been defined by a commitment to justice, truth and the rule of law, both as a media personality and as the Accord Party’s governorship candidate in Oyo State.
He argued that attempts to hold him responsible for the alleged actions of another individual based solely on acquaintance, employment or social interaction were dishonest and lacked logical basis.
Hamzat stressed that the Nigeria Police Force remains the constitutionally empowered institution responsible for investigating criminal allegations and determining culpability.
The governorship hopeful said individuals declared wanted by the police should be dealt with through established legal procedures, warning against efforts to drag innocent persons into criminal investigations for political or personal reasons.
He also reaffirmed his willingness to cooperate fully with security agencies should any lawful assistance be required in connection with ongoing investigations.
Hamzat described the allegations against him as a calculated and damaging effort at character assassination designed to score political points ahead of future electoral contests in the state.
He maintained that no amount of blackmail, false accusations or coordinated smear campaigns would distract him from his vision for Oyo State or his commitment to public service.
In the statement, Hamzat expressed confidence that residents of the state would distinguish between facts and propaganda, adding that he remained focused on promoting welfare, security and development across Oyo.
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The Accord candidate reiterated his commitment to integrity, accountability and service to humanity, saying those values would continue to guide his personal and political engagements.
Victory Emmanuel is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
