Zion Akingboye, son of the late businessman and political figure Otunba Bamidele Akingboye (OBA), has issued a strong rebuttal against claims made by his father's former aide, Mr Oyeniyi Iwakun, concerning OBA's medical history.
A Reckless Denial and a Son's Response
In a statement released yesterday, Zion Akingboye described Iwakun's recent comments as "a brazen compilation of lies, distortions and deliberate suppression of verifiable facts." He insisted that the public denial of his father's known medical condition was both reckless and dishonest.
The son was reacting specifically to Iwakun's assertion that the late OBA never suffered from any mental illness. Zion stated that this claim exposed "either shocking ignorance or calculated deceit" from someone who claimed closeness to his deceased father.
The Verifiable Medical Facts
To set the record straight, Zion Akingboye provided detailed medical background. He revealed that his father was medically diagnosed in 2019 with Bipolar Affective Disorder with psychotic symptoms by qualified psychiatrists in Nigeria.
He further disclosed that upon OBA's return to Nigeria, he was assessed at Synthesiz Psychological Health Consultants by Dr Femi Olugbile, a former Chief Medical Director. Dr Olugbile independently diagnosed OBA with Bipolar Affective Disorder, Manic Phase, a finding consistent with earlier Nigerian evaluations.
Zion emphasised that medical records exist to confirm this diagnosis and that Nigerian health facilities, including Southern Gem Hospital, could independently attest to his father's condition and treatment history.
Allegations of Hypocrisy and Exploitation
Zion Akingboye accused Iwakun of hypocrisy, alleging the former aide was fully aware of OBA's condition. He cited a specific incident in July 2019, when he claimed Iwakun personally brought OBA home after a youth meeting where he was experiencing a manic episode while speaking.
He made a more serious allegation regarding the same event, stating that Iwakun recorded a video of OBA speaking incoherently in public. Zion described this act as "demeaning and exploitative" and noted the video was only deleted after a family friend intervened to prevent potential blackmail.
Zion described Iwakun's overall posture as "wilful and morally indefensible," further alleging the aide was collaborating with "mischievous and self-serving family members pursuing pecuniary gains" by pushing false narratives about his father's life and death.
Protecting a Legacy
Zion Akingboye stressed that acknowledging his father's medical condition does not diminish OBA's achievements or legacy. However, he issued a clear warning that the deliberate falsification of medical facts and public misinformation would not be tolerated.
"The truth will not be buried, and lies will not stand," he declared. He called on Oyeniyi Iwakun to immediately cease "dishonouring my father's memory with falsehoods." He explained that he was compelled to speak publicly only due to what he termed "the reckless weaponisation of lies."
Throughout his father's political campaigns, the family took deliberate steps to manage his mental health, including medical supervision, treatment, rest, and controlled public engagements.
