I became a target after leaving Makinde’s camp, Suri Ilupeju says

By Adejayan Gbenga

Surajudeen Adio, popularly known as Suri Ilupeju, a prominent member of the Oyo State Park Management System, has regained his freedom after facing allegations linking him to a crime syndicate.

Speaking with journalists, Ilupeju alleged that he became a victim of political persecution after leaving the political camp of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

He said he had been a loyal supporter of Makinde since the 2015 governorship election under the Social Democratic Party and remained committed to his political ambition through the governor’s victory on the Peoples Democratic Party platform in 2019.

According to him, his relationship with the governor’s camp came to an end after the 2023 general election following the removal of Mukaila Lamidi, popularly known as Auxiliary, as Chairman of the Oyo State Park Management System.

Ilupeju claimed that his decision to join Oriyomi Hamzat and the Accord Party marked the beginning of his ordeal, alleging that he was subsequently targeted because of his political affiliation.

He described the demolition of his residence after the reported recovery of ammunition from the property as the most painful experience of his life, saying the action left his family devastated and caused them immense hardship.

The former PMS member questioned whether political differences should lead to such treatment, insisting that he deserved to be accorded due legal process before any action was taken against him.

Speaking on the exhibits allegedly recovered and used against him, Ilupeju denied ownership of the items, maintaining that they were not his and describing them as political propaganda allegedly deployed to implicate him.