The elders of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State have called on Governor Lucky Aiywdatiwa to investigate the circumstances that surrounded the death of one of the governorship aspirants of the party, Paul Akintelure.
Akintelure died on Tuesday in Lagos during a brief illness at the age of 61.
Prior to his death, Akintelure had, in a statement issued some days ago through his media aide, Olalekan Akintelure, alleged a threat to his life.
He, however, said he would not be intimidated by any threat.
“The threats against me only strengthen my resolve to stand up for what is right and just. I will not allow fear to dictate our path forward, for us to embrace peace, progress, and unity.
“Our collective strength lies in us to stand together as one, regardless of our differences,” Akintelure wrote in the statement.
To this end, party elders under the auspices of Ondo APC Aborigine, at a meeting on Tuesday, said there was a need for the governor to investigate the deceased’s death, considering his threat to life allegation.
The Chairman of the Ondo APC Aborigines and former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, Sola Iji, who spoke after the meeting, expressed sadness over the death of the late medical doctor.
He said the purpose of the meeting was to announce the preferred candidate of the group among the over 15 governorship aspirants jostling for the ticket of the party, but the meeting was postponed to a later date to honour the deceased aspirant.
Iji said, “The meeting was meant to receive and adopt the final report of the resolution of the group in supporting one of the aspirants. We were shocked earlier this morning when we learnt of the death of Dr. Paul Akintelure. We have to suspend our meeting to seize the opportunity to mourn his demise.
“A few days back, he spoke out about threat to his life. If he so expressed that threat, even though we do not know the details, we call on the governor to unravel whatever mystery surrounding his death.
“It is part of responsibilities of government to protect lives and property. We have adjourned till another date to discuss.”
The state governor, Aiyedatiwa, had, in a statement, described the death of Akintelure as shocking and devastating.
Aiyedatiwa, in the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, sympathised with the Akintelure family and the people of Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.
The statement read, “Dr. Akintelure was a wonderful human being and was a core progressive. He was very consistent and loyal to the tenets of progressive politics in Ondo State and Nigeria.
“He was a friend and associate. He conducted his private business and public affairs with so much decorum and humility to the admiration of many. We have lost a complete gentleman. He will be greatly missed. ”
Following the incident, all the governorship aspirants of the APC have suspended their political activities in honour of the late chieftain of the party.
