Ex-Ondo SDP Governorship Candidate, Bamidele Akingboye, Dies

Bamidele Akingboye, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the November 16, 2024 Ondo State governorship election, is dead.

His death was confirmed on Wednesday in a statement issued by his aide, Oyeniyi Iwakun.

According to the statement, Akingboye died earlier on Wednesday at his residence in Victoria Garden City, Lagos.

“Known for his unwavering integrity, humility, and generosity, Akingboye left an indelible mark as a successful businessman and a mentor to many across Nigeria and beyond,” the statement read.

He is survived by his wives, children, grandchildren, and siblings. The family has requested privacy during this period of grief, adding that burial arrangements and further details will be communicated in due course.

Akingboye, who flew the SDP flag in last year’s Ondo governorship race, lost to the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Following the election, he and his party rejected the outcome, alleging widespread irregularities. The SDP claimed its agents were harassed and chased away from polling units, while voters were intimidated.

Akingboye himself had insisted that the exercise was marred by malpractices and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the poll.