By: Oyeniyi Iwakun
HOW I FIRST RECEIVED THE NEWS
At about 8:20 a.m. on September 3rd, 2025, while at my parents’ home in Ode Aye, I noticed several missed calls from Mr. Jimi Akinyan, former Ondo State SDP Secretary. The frequency of the calls immediately unsettled me.
When I returned the call, he asked when I last spoke with my boss and urged me to reach out to him urgently. My attempts to call Otunba Bamidele Akingboye (OBA) did not connect. Minutes later, Mr. Akinyan phoned again, saying he had received disturbing information suggesting that OBA had passed on but needed confirmation.
I was completely shocked.
ATTEMPTS TO CONFIRM THE NEWS
I repeatedly called Mrs. Christianah Akingboye, but her line was busy and later declined.
I contacted OBA’s eldest son, Mr. Samuel Akingboye, who confirmed the sad news, though he was himself confused and still trying to understand what had happened. He promised to update me as he was making arrangements to move the body to the morgue.
My phone was overwhelmed with calls thereafter. I spoke with Mr. Samuel again and obtained his consent to make a formal announcement of the death. I issued a brief, professional public statement to manage the rising public pressure. At that point, no cause of death was known to me.
INFORMATION THAT EMERGED LATER
Later that evening, I received reports that injuries had been observed on OBA’s body. When I contacted Mr Samuel, he confirmed this and informed me of the decision to conduct an autopsy.
The next day, graphic images began circulating online, triggering more calls and questions that I had no answers to at the time.
Then, I was able to get through to Gbenga, Madam Christianah’s first child, to inquire what happened since he stays at the VGC residence. However, he said he didn’t know what happened but could only confirm that OBA was dead. Hence, my decision to travel down to Lagos for an on-the-spot assessment.
MY VISIT TO LAGOS
On September 5th, I travelled to Lagos to pay condolences and seek clarity. I arrived at the VGC residence, where I met Mrs. Christianah Akingboye and her children.
During our discussion, she narrated multiple, conflicting accounts of what transpired. The contradictions were stark and troubling:
Account One: She said she woke up around 5:00 a.m. to find OBA taking a walk on the balcony while she prepared for a birthday event in London. She mentioned that his blood pressure had spiked after an Ilorin event two days earlier, leading to a brief hospital admission. According to her, they prayed together and even kissed deeply after a long time that morning and ensured he was asleep before resuming her London trip preparation. Fifteen minutes later, while packing, her maid allegedly went downstairs to fetch a nightgown and screamed upon finding OBA in a pool of blood behind the house. She said he died on the way to the hospital.
Account Two: She claimed OBA had a property transaction in London with a man who had been sending threats, demanding a refund by a September ultimatum else he faced the consequences. She said the man later sent a message after OBA’s death saying “he didn’t mean it.”
Account Three: She said she told him they should travel to London together that morning, but OBA insisted on staying back for a meeting with some omo onile over a land matter scheduled for the next day being Thursday 4th, promising to join her later.
Account Four: She said OBA might have been jogging that morning when he suffered a cardiac arrest and died at the exact spot where he was found in a pool of his own blood.
When I asked her directly if she knew what exactly happened that morning that led to her husband’s death, she said she did not, but was interested in knowing.
I expressed my confusion respectfully and emphasised that clarity was important for everyone including wives, children, and close associates especially since no one could give a consistent, convincing or logical explanation of what killed him and how he died.
Accompanied by some of her children and OBA’s orderly, I visited the location behind the building where his body was reportedly found.
Since the police had taken up the matter, my role was simply to observe, not to conclude, accuse, or interfere.
POLICE INVESTIGATION
On September 6th, I visited the Ajah Police Division where the issue was being investigated and later the SCID, Panti, Yaba, on September 7th after being informed that the case had been transferred there.
I did not make any formal statement because I was not a complainant or witness. My role was to observe and ensure due process.
On September 8th, I was present when investigators led by the DCP, SCID, visited the VGC scene.
Shortly after, due to family tensions, I returned to Ondo State but continued monitoring developments quietly.
RESPECTING POLICE FINDINGS
About two months later, I was informed that the police had concluded their investigation and forwarded the case file to the DPP. The Lagos CP later confirmed in a media interview that a case of murder had been established, and some members of the immediate family and domestic staff had been taken into custody for further investigation. He stated clearly: “They have a case to answer.”
This revelation broke me emotionally. I remained silent afterward to avoid interference.
ADDRESSING RECENT PUBLIC STATEMENTS ABOUT OBA’S HEALTH
Recently, Madam Christianah and some of her children claimed in interviews that Otunba Bamidele Akingboye suffered depression, bipolar disorder, or mental distress for five years linked to his participation in politics and suggesting these caused his death or implying suicide.
These claims are deeply troubling and compelled me to respond.
I worked closely with OBA for many years, specifically during the demanding political cycles of 2019–2024. I was arguably the closest person to him professionally and politically.
Let me state categorically: OBA had no mental illness, no depression, and no psychological instability as far as I know and professionally observed him.
He was mentally sharp, organised, charismatic, and active in politics, business, social life, and religious engagements.
A mentally unstable man cannot: Campaign across 203 wards and 18 LGAs; Address thousands at events in Nigeria and abroad; Appear regularly on radio and TV programmes/interviews; Hold marathon strategy sessions; Speak extemporaneously at public gatherings consistently for years and maintain constant public engagement.
From that 2019 to 2025, he remained coherent, cheerful, visionary, and focused. He never showed signs of depression or mental weakness.
He was resilient, courageous, generous, and passionate about public service.
OBA’S 40+ YEARS IN POLITICS: A LEGACY OF COURAGE AND RESILIENCE
OBA’s political journey spanned more than 40 years. I documented much of his political history and private life when I came on board as his personal aide; here is a glimpse at his political journey:
1983: Member, UPN Ondo State Campaign Committee
1993: Coordinator, M.K.O. Abiola Campaign Organisation, Ondo State
Early 2000s: AD Governorship Aspirant
2007: PDP Governorship Aspirant; later DPP Governorship Candidate
2012: Member, PDP Presidential Committee on Finance & Security (Ondo Governorship Election)
2014: PDP Ondo South Senatorial Aspirant
2020: PDP Governorship Aspirant
2024: PDP Governorship Aspirant; later SDP Governorship Candidate
Throughout these decades, OBA showed extraordinary resilience. He was never desperate. He accepted defeat with grace and always returned stronger.
His Political Finances: A Clarification
A critical point must be emphasised: in all elections from 2019 to 2024, OBA never spent the heavy Delegates Money or Voters Mobilisation Money on Election Day, commonly known as Primary Election Logistics or Election Day Logistics.
This does not mean he did not spend money on: Travelling; Tours; Publicity; Incentives; Party support; Running grants or other routine political expenses.
But the multi-billion naira election day logistics funds were never spent by him at any time.
After the 2024 Governorship election, he remained mentally alert, cheerful, and full of plans. I even visited him in April 2025 for his birthday and presented him a gift.
So, hearing claims that he was mentally unstable, depressed, indebted, or that these led to his death, all linked to his political voyage is shocking, especially when police investigation revealed foul play.
THE REAL QUESTIONS
What remains at stake is simple and urgent:
Who murdered OBA, and why? Especially since police findings indicate foul play, not natural illness, not depression, and not mental breakdown.
For more than four decades, OBA remained steadfast in his belief in democracy, development, and a better Ondo State and Nigeria.
CONCLUSION
This statement aims to correct misconceptions, protect OBA’s legacy, and ensure that the public remembers the real man we knew; a courageous leader, mentally sound, generous-hearted, resilient, and unwaveringly committed to public service.
As events progress, I will address other issues in subsequent series.
Justice must prevail. Justice for OBA.
Niyi, the Media Aide to late Akingboye writes from Ondo State.
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