– Paul Akintelure
By Jane osamor
Renowned politician and of the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Paul Akintelure, is dead.
Before his untimely demise, Akintelure had raised concerns about both direct and indirect threats to his life.
He had expressed hope that the situation would improve over time but sadly, it escalated as the APC governorship primary election scheduled for April 25 approached.
Akintelure in a statement released by his spokesperson, Oladapo Akintelure, on Thursday, March 21, 2023, said, “Initially, I hope these incidents would dissipate over time, yet regrettably, they have escalated to pose a serious threat to my life.”
“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.
“Let us embrace peace, progress, and unity. Our collective strength lies in our to stand together as one, regardless of our differences.”
Akintelure became known when he ran as the deputy governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) with Rotimi Akeredolu (the incumbent Ondo State governor) against Olusegun Mimiko, the then Labour Party flagbearer, who won the election.
Earlier, he had contested the senatorial election against the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, but he was defeated.
He was a medical doctor and hailed from Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
This development happened as the build-up to the Ondo governorship election continued to gather momentum.
“Akintelure was a highly refined and consistent political figure, whose position was that the essence of being in politics is to build the people and the land.
“The contributions of the departed political leader, to the development and stability of the Ondo State chapter of APC will not be forgotten.” A mourner said.
On its part, the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers (LACO-FS) described the death as painful and benumbing.
“We grieve for this sudden passage of our great leader Dr. Paul Akintelure whose contributions to not just APC but above all, party politics and democracy in Nigeria, cannot be quantified,” the organisation’s convener Oladipupo Okeyomi said in a statement issued through the LACO-FS State Director of Information Kayode Fasua.
The campaign organisation while commiserating with the family of the deceased, said it has suspended its itinerary for the week in honour of the departed leader
