Christy Akingboye, widow of the late Bamidele Akingboye, the former Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the 2024 Ondo State election, has publicly dismissed allegations that she played a role in her husband’s death.
The grieving widow, speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, described the accusations as “cruel” and “malicious,” claiming they were designed to tarnish her reputation and that of her children.
Christy disclosed that her husband suffered from bipolar manic disorder, diagnosed in 2019, which led to recurring episodes of severe mental distress. The condition, she said, spiraled during his political campaigns, compounded by heavy financial debts and increasing anxiety. “He was my friend. I didn’t just lose a husband, I lost my better half,” she shared.
According to her, the family sought treatment in multiple cities including Lagos, Dubai and Abuja, consulting specialists and admitting him to psychiatric care facilities. She recounted harrowing episodes, including an incident when her daughter stopped him from jumping off a balcony, and a separate episode in Dubai that required police intervention.
Christy said the challenges of managing her husband’s mental health were made worse by his anxiety over unpaid debts, many extending into hundreds of millions of naira. He reportedly feared that creditors might resort to legal action or involve law enforcement agencies.
She claimed she deliberately chose silence after his death to protect his legacy and prevent cultural stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide. “In our society, suicide is something people weaponise,” she said. “I didn’t want my husband remembered that way.”
Tensions escalated after her stepson, Samuel Akingboye, publicly accused her of murdering his father. Christy said she viewed Samuel as her own son and expected support, but instead, he allegedly launched a campaign of blackmail, spreading manipulated images to suggest domestic violence.
To counter the accusations, Christy presented what she described as genuine mortuary photographs showing no injuries on her husband’s body, contradicting images circulated online. “My hands are clean. God knows the truth. I have nothing to hide,” she insisted.
Calling for an independent review, Christy urged authorities to examine her husband’s medical records, stating that transparency would bring closure. She appealed to the public to understand the emotional toll mental illness takes on families. “His children saw the episodes, they know what happened. They all need therapy after this,” she concluded.
Christy’s testimony paints a picture of a family overwhelmed by private battles with mental health, political pressure and public accusations — a tragic end to a life that once held public promise.
