I didn’t kill my husband – Wife of murdered Ondo guber candidate

Christy Akingboye, widow of the late Bamidele Akingboye, former Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the November 2024 Ondo State election, has publicly denied allegations that she was involved in her husband’s death.

Speaking in Lagos after weeks of silence, she described the rumours as cruel, fabricated and orchestrated to tarnish her reputation and that of her children.

She said she initially chose not to respond in order to preserve her husband’s dignity and shield the family from stigma.

Christy revealed that Bamidele had battled bipolar manic disorder since 2019, a condition that triggered severe manic episodes, suicidal tendencies and erratic behaviour.

The family, she said, endured two major crises that year — one in Lagos, where their daughter reportedly prevented him from jumping off a balcony, and another in Dubai, where police took him to a psychiatric hospital.

She said treatment was sought in Lagos, Dubai and Abuja, and the family kept his condition private to avoid stigma and protect his political ambitions.

According to her, Bamidele’s mental-health challenges worsened during his political engagements, as rising debts, sleepless nights and campaign pressure escalated his instability.

She added that he frequently feared law-enforcement involvement over his debts, which she said ran into hundreds of millions of naira.

Christy disclosed that she withheld information about his suicide attempts, including the final incident that led to his death, to protect his legacy.

“In our society, suicide is something people weaponise. I didn’t want my husband remembered that way,” she said.

The situation took another turn when her stepson, Samuel Akingboye, accused her of killing their father.

Instead of helping the family heal, she claimed she launched “blackmail, fabrications and media attacks,” including sharing doctored images purporting to show signs of domestic abuse.

Displaying what she said were the authentic mortuary photographs, she insisted the viral images were altered.

“To my shock, they used AI to paint blood on his face. The real pictures show nothing like that,” she said.

Christy also criticised the initial police response, alleging bias and procedural failures.

She said officers did not visit critical locations, check medical records or secure the scene before arresting her and her children, who were detained for three days.

Following her petition, the case was reassigned to a new investigative team, which revisited key areas, including the balcony and rooms.

She said the team discovered a second CCTV camera facing the balcony, but the footage had already been overwritten due to earlier inaction.

Her fears returned when the case was transferred back to the original investigative unit.

She alleged renewed pressure to sustain a murder narrative despite what she described as a lack of forensic evidence.

She recounted being escorted with her children to SCID, Panti,last Friday, where she said over 20 armed officers awaited them despite earlier assurances they would not be detained.

Christy also questioned Samuel’s continued visits to police formations even after being informed that the case had been reassigned.

“He has been going to Panti every day. What is he doing there?” she asked.

Despite her concerns, she expressed hope that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) would review the case objectively when the police forward the file to DPP.

“My hands are clean. God knows the truth. I have nothing to hide,” she said, adding that all the children witnessed their father’s struggles and need therapy.

Recalling events before his death, Christy said Bamidele appeared severely distressed on August 26,during their morning devotion. He allegedly confessed that his debts had escalated and that creditors were threatening to involve security agencies.

Fearing consequences, she said he transferred ₦130 million to his son, Samuel. Christy said she advised him to request the money back so creditors could receive structured payments. She recounted that Bamidele called Samuel on speakerphone to request a refund, explaining he only needed evidence of intent to pay.

In the days leading to his death, she said the family managed to reduce outstanding debts to “less than four hundred thousand.” They even considered selling their home until a banking error was discovered.

After a consultant intervened, she said the bank admitted to overcharging them and revised its demand from ₦1.2 billion to ₦75 million — a development she said briefly lifted his spirits.

Christy urged investigators to focus on her husband’s medical records and long-standing mental-health challenges.

“I didn’t kill my husband. I loved him and stood by him through everything. I only want the truth to prevail,” she said.