Your Highness,
I write this open letter with mixed feelings—coupled with a deep sense of gratitude to Almighty God, who, in His infinite mercy, has deemed you worthy of this prestigious position, looking away from your inherent human weaknesses. Your elevation to this vantage leadership role is historical and meteoric: first as Ojomu of Idanre— a position earlier occupied by the iconic Chief Ojomu and Lisa Kosofe Samuel Agboola Akintan, an internationally renowned lawyer who honed his skills in principled local government administration before veering into property law practice, thereby establishing him beyond reasonable doubt as a legal authority in Lagos.
Your Highness, providence has further assigned you a tougher responsibility, forever etching your name on the sand of time as the Regent of Idanre at this time. This development automatically places you in the same position as the late High Chief Christopher Oluwole Akindolire, touted for his uncommon integrity and loyalty to the departed Owa of Idanre, Oba Frederick Adegunle Aroloye— a bright king whose throne you now command. Your case clearly speaks to the biblical maxim which says, “his way is not our ways.”
Your Highness, your elevation to this prestigious level in community leadership is owed to no man, but to God and the late Owa of Idanre, who probably saw into the future by confirming destiny. He deemed you worthy to step into this position of honour among all. It is important that you are not distracted by the political narrative being woven by some elements in the community—narratives suggesting that your appointment as Regent of Idanre land was midwifed by the State government. Your stepping into this position is nothing but the act of God, and not that of the government of the day.
In fact, Idanre people do not need the consolidation of the State government to recognise the next in line for this office. Your position is couched in the spirit and tradition of Idanre people—not in government gazettes or chieftaincy declarations.
Your Highness, you assumed leadership in the Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State prior to the death of High Chief Christopher Oluwole Akindolire. Attesting to this is a widely reported statement issued by you shortly after the terrible incident of 18th February, 2026. The open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as reported by Punch Newspaper on 23rd February, 2026, and titled: “Ondo community petitions Tinubu, seeks probe of killings during APC congress,” reads:
“As the third-ranking traditional chief of Idanre Kingdom, I hereby formally place the relevant authorities on notice regarding the alarming spate of violence that has characterised political rallies and electoral activities within our community.”
“Most disturbing and heartbreaking was the recent APC Delegate Exercise held on Wednesday, 18th February 2026, during which two innocent Idanre citizens were brutally murdered, and dozens sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
“This tragic incident is not only unacceptable but an affront to the peace, dignity, and unity of Idanre Kingdom.”
A further excerpt reads:
“The people of Idanre are aware that criminal elements are behind these atrocities. While we remain law-abiding and peace-loving citizens, we will not fold our arms while our sons and daughters are slaughtered.”
“Idanre Kingdom reserves the right to engage independent private investigators to ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
“It must also be clearly stated that the two aspiring APC candidates whose activities have allegedly generated tension and instability do not represent the collective will and best interest of the Idanre people,” the letter added.
Your Highness, I must credit your love for your people, including the manner in which you expressed yourself in that statement to President Tinubu. I see a leader who is touched by the situation of things. I see a leader taking tough responsibilities by ensuring that justice takes its full course.
However, I must confess my disappointment after reading the report further—particularly in respect of its distasteful pronouncements on redefining politics in the local government area. As good as the letter is, it fell short of my expectations, as it dabbled into politics and envisaged an atmosphere where esteemed traditional leadership would be drawn into the murky waters of politics. If this happens, it may be seen as influencing a new political course—engineering a new political party—since the current aspirants for the House of Representatives do not represent the collective will of the people.
The letter specifically threatened that the community is willing to veer from the ruling party by exploring an alternative, particularly if investigation is not opened into the killings.
“Should the APC-led authorities fail to decisively halt the senseless killings and restore peace, Idanre Kingdom will exercise its constitutional right to seek redress through legal means and explore alternative democratic platforms to present a candidate that genuinely represents the aspirations of our people at the National Assembly.”
Your Highness, this new position of yours is in direct contrast with a statement directly attributed to you by a *SunshineTruth* news report of 2022, titled: “Reps Race: Idanre/Ifedore Youths Walk to Drum Support for Akingbaso ‘Fessywest”. https://sunshinetruthng.com/2022/03/21/reps-race-idanre-ifedore-youths-walk-to-drum-support-for-akingbaso-fessywest/
In this statement, you branded one of these two aspirants mentioned in your statement the “people’s choice.”
In that report, you were quoted as follows:
“Also an aide of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Bashorun Akinloye Akinboni said Akingbaso is obviously the people’s choice with the show of solidarity by the youths, saying, “no single household that is not involved.”
Your Highness, this is nothing but politics. But it is not far-fetched, considering your position as a political juggernaut and former gubernatorial aide. My position is that such participation is permitted, even when your predecessor, High Chief Ojomu Agboola Akintan, actively participated in politics—particularly as a sponsor. However, things have changed. You now occupy a strategic leadership position, which may be considered your apogee in the traditional system. While you may explore politics in your personal capacity without cloaking it as a community agenda before, this is no longer pertinent—particularly now that you are the prescribed authority in the community.
I must highlight my protest about another misgiving of mine regarding a recent remark of yours. In your first ever statement of assurance as the Regent of Idanre land, you hinted of a credible report that there are alleged plans by some political actors to import thugs into Idanre on the 15th of this month ahead of the forthcoming APC primaries. While describing the reports as reliable, you stood your ground on warding off violence, intimidation, and disruption of public order. That is the right thing to do, Your Highness.
But looking further, it is obvious that your weighty statement reeks of jungle justice and is also laced with perfunctory respect for law and order. You said:
“any individual, or group found bringing thugs into the community, or engaging in acts of violence – including gunshots, brandishing of weapons such as cutlasses, or any form of unrest – will face immediate consequences.”
You said further that:
“in the event of such occurrences, the community will not wait for external intervention. Rather than the thugs, it is the political actors behind such actions who will be immediately identified and apprehended within the community. We will not be concerned with status or position – whether a sitting Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, or former political office holder. The law and the peace of Idanre shall apply”.
Your Highness, while I agree that the individual forces behind these acts of violence should be held vicariously liable for the actions of the thugs, it is my humble position that it is the court of law that can pronounce on this matter. My letter is necessary so that the tone of your statement is not leveraged on by desperate politicians seeking to settle scores—particularly through acts of violence. An order authorizing forceful and immediate apprehension of suspected terror sponsors who are also politicians can be cleverly used to mislead community people into acts of violence against targeted politicians, and the consequences will be far-reaching.
Your independent investigation will be more dependable than viral indications by politicians whose interests are more paramount to them than the peace of the community. For justice to be truly served, the agents being used by desperate politicians must be apprehended by every means possible so they can assist in the course of investigation.
As a matter of fact, Sir, politicians at the level of the State and National Assemblies—including former ones—are not covered by Section 308 of the Constitution, the section that provides immunity. Parliamentarians enjoy privileges in the course of their job, not immunity from criminal prosecution. It is my humble counsel that the Regent should focus more on ensuring that Idanre becomes a no-go area for violence other than through direct attacks on suspected sponsors, before recourse to law.
As a suggestion, it is a statement of fact that the Regent now embodies the full traditional armoury of Idanre, and may be speaking in the voices of the ancestors. He has the capacity to summon all politicians, irrespective of their partisan leaning, for a meeting, while standing his ground on peace. A curse from the mouth of the Regent carries weight and cannot be doubted—just like that of late Oba Frederick Aroloye. His neutral presence will also go a long way in checking violence. My humble submission, Your Highness.
To achieve real peace, full belief in the law is paramount.
From the office of the people.
Tunde Akingbondere
