Malicious Publication: I will not be distracted by blackmail or sponsored propaganda- Rep Akingbaso
*PRESS STATEMENT*
*RE: MALICIOUS PUBLICATION AND FALSE ALLEGATIONS LINKING ME TO THE FEBRUARY 18, 2026 INCIDENT IN IDANRE*
My attention has been drawn to a publication in a tabloid by some disgruntled individuals who are desperately seeking to malign my person and rewrite the ugly events of *February 18, 2026 in Idanre*, where lives and property were tragically lost.
In the said piece, believed to have been sponsored by a political group whose interest was affected, deliberate attempts were made to drag several prominent individuals into the matter. Their aim is clear: to cause disaffection, tarnish reputations, and manipulate public sympathy by distorting the facts.
They referenced one *Mrs. Moyere*, who claimed to have been bereaved, and insinuated that loyalists of *Hon. Tunji Olubunmi-Ojo* were responsible for the death of her ward, Tope.
While I sincerely sympathize with Mrs. Moyere over the painful loss of her son, I am convinced that some desperate politicians are exploiting her grief to score cheap political points.
*How can violent political activities arising from a struggle to control the soul of the party in one local government be linked to the Hon. Minister of Interior?* The attempt to make such a connection is not only baseless but mischievous.
I also have strong reasons to believe that correspondents of the tabloid did not conduct any direct interview with *Mrs. Akintimehin*. Instead, what was circulated was a tailored and scripted video clip produced by these individuals. In that clip, my identity was deliberately distorted and presented in different forms — *Festus Akingbaso, Festus Akingbaso AK, Obete, Obete AK* — a tactic too puerile and unprofessional to be associated with a reputable media organization.
While frivolous allegations have been wrongly leveled against me and other individuals, I implore the management of the tabloid to carry out thorough, investigative, and unbiased journalism in order to uncover the truth, rather than lend its platform to lies being peddled by these disgruntled elements.
For the record, I do not have detailed knowledge of the case or of the individuals arraigned. Like most citizens, my information comes from public platforms.
Consequently, the allegations made by *Mrs. Akintimehin* against myself and my office are false and unfounded. I urge her to seek redress through the appropriate legal and security channels to clear the name of her husband, rather than allow herself to be used to propagate falsehood.
I remain committed to peace, justice, and the progress of Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency. I will not be distracted by blackmail or sponsored propaganda.
*Thank you and God bless.*
*Hon. Festus O. Akingbaso, MHR*
_Member, House of Representatives_
_Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency_
_Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Aviation_
*28th July, 2026*
