By The Metro 
The member representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Festus Akingbaso, has threatened legal action against individuals behind what he described as false allegations linking him and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to the political violence that erupted in Idanre on February 18, 2026.
Akingbaso, in a statement issued on Tuesday, dismissed the allegations contained in a viral video and online publications, insisting that neither he nor the minister had any involvement in the crisis.
The lawmaker said he neither sponsored nor financed any attack before, during or after the APC congress and primary election in the community, adding that he had no knowledge of the alleged arrest of residents in connection with the incident beyond information already available to the public.
He also defended Tunji-Ojo, describing attempts to associate the minister with the violence as baseless and politically motivated.
According to him, the Minister of Interior, who he described as the leader of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, is not from Idanre and played no role in the political developments that culminated in the crisis.
Akingbaso urged members of the public to disregard the allegations, saying they were deliberately fabricated to damage their reputations and mislead the public.
While expressing sympathy to families affected by the violence, the federal lawmaker condemned what he called attempts to exploit the incident for political propaganda and personal vendetta.
He further alleged that the lingering tension in Idanre was being fuelled by the activities of certain individuals, including a traditional chief and his associates, whom he accused of undermining peace in the community.
The lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to the peace, unity and development of the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, pledging continued support for lawful efforts aimed at restoring harmony.
Akingbaso warned that he would institute legal proceedings against anyone found to have participated in the creation or circulation of the alleged defamatory claims, stressing that freedom of expression should not be used as a cover for spreading falsehood.
He also urged journalists and members of the public to verify information before publishing or sharing it, warning that misinformation could further threaten peace in the affected community.