Fresh political tension may be brewing in the Akoko South East/South West Federal Constituency following reports that the Olubaka of Oka-Akoko Kingdom, Oba Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, and the Chief Imam of the community allegedly rejected Eid-el-Kabir gifts sent by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to palace sources, emissaries linked to the Minister reportedly arrived in the community with rams, cows and bags of rice as part of Ileya festival distributions within the constituency.
However, sources claimed the traditional ruler and the Islamic cleric declined to accept the items and directed that the gifts be returned to the Minister’s team.
The development, according to insiders familiar with the situation, may not be unconnected with ongoing political disagreements within the constituency over alleged disputes surrounding party structures and representation.
Sources within the community alleged that concerns were raised over what some stakeholders described as attempts to undermine the political mandate of certain aspirants within the federal constituency.
Particularly mentioned in the claims was the name of Bobagunwa Ategbole, whose supporters have continued to insist that the political will of constituents should be respected.
“The concern expressed was beyond festive gifts. It was more about political fairness and respecting the wishes of the people,” a source within the community alleged.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the palace, the Chief Imam, or the office of the Minister confirming the development.
However, the reported incident has already generated conversations within political circles across Akoko communities, especially among grassroots supporters and youth groups.
Observers say the situation reflects deeper political tensions ahead of future political alignments within the constituency.
The Akoko South East/South West Federal Constituency has remained politically strategic in Ondo State politics, with recent developments attracting growing attention from stakeholders within the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Political analysts believe that if confirmed, the reported rejection of the Ileya gifts could further intensify discussions around party unity, grassroots influenceaes and political reconciliation within the constituency.