A Nigerian man, Olugbenga Adekunte Akapo, has publicly addressed the intense online backlash he faced after his name was specifically mentioned in a tribute written by his late friend, Kingsley Aneke.
From Grief to Online Attack
In a detailed statement posted on his official Facebook account on December 24, 2025, Akapo revealed that being named in the widely circulated tribute transformed his personal mourning into a nightmare of hostility. He explained that the mention led to a flood of criticism, insults, and abusive messages from Nigerians across various social media platforms.
Olugbenga described Kingsley Aneke as a friend he met on Facebook and grew close to over time, stating that the death had affected him profoundly. He expressed pain that the announcement of Aneke's death and burial arrangements, which featured his name, sparked unwarranted political attacks.
The Politicization of a Personal Loss
Akapo lamented that many reactions framed his political preferences as a criminal act. He stated that commenters resorted to abuse, spiritual condemnation, and even death wishes. He strongly rejected the notion that his political stance was driven by ethnic bias, arguing that such interpretations unfairly misrepresented him.
"Nigeria's challenges didn't start in 2023, it didn't start with President Tinubu nor the APC," Akapo wrote, stressing that the country's long-standing difficulties predate any single administration. He found it painful that a friend's loss was dragged into divisive political and tribal debates.
An Onslaught of Unwanted Attention
The controversy resulted in an alarming surge of attention directed at Akapo's online presence. He disclosed that his phone was constantly ringing with notifications, and he was inundated with private messages containing screenshots from blogs, groups, and individual accounts.
He checked his social media dashboard and was alarmed by the number of page views in a single day, noting that some individuals were actively searching for his other social media profiles on platforms like Twitter and Instagram for reasons he found troubling.
Akapo also expressed doubts about the origin of the viral tribute, questioning whether it truly came from Aneke or if someone with access to his friend's phone shared it after his passing.
A Commitment to Respect and Moving Forward
Despite the intense pressure and abuse, Akapo stated his firm decision not to be pushed into disrespecting the memory of his deceased friend. He reaffirmed his commitment to honouring their friendship and extended his deepest sympathies to Aneke's bereaved family.
In his closing words, he said, "I will respect my friendship with him in death... I wish his Family the best once again and pray that they find the fortitude to bear the loss. Rest in Peace Kingsley. May Nigeria Succeed."
The public reaction to Akapo's statement was mixed. Some commenters, like Lawal Leke, offered fierce support, vowing to confront anyone disrespecting Akapo online. Others, like Ralph Abiodun, reassured him that supporting a political candidate was not a crime and that he owed no one an explanation. Many echoed the sentiment that the tribute should have been a moment for mourning, not for creating controversy and dragging names into unnecessary disputes.
