AN aspirant for the 2024 gubernatorial election in Ondo state under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Paul Akintelure, is dead.
He died on Tuesday, March 26.
According to a report, Akintelure died early on Tuesday in a hospital in Lagos State.
His death came five days after he released a statement on Thursday, March 21, through his spokesperson, Oladapo Akintelure, alleging threats to his life.
In the statement, the deceased noted that though he had reported the direct and indirect threats to security agents, the incidents only escalated.
“It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge recent unsettling events wherein there have been both direct and indirect attempts on my person. Initially, I hoped 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,” the statement read in part.
Ondo State is set to hold governorship elections in November. Akintlure’s death also comes barely a month before the APC primaries scheduled for April 25.
The ICIR reported that at least 16 political parties indicated interest in participating in the governorship election.
On March 1, some APC governorship aspirants in the state had raised alarm over political violence.
They claimed that their supporters were being attacked by thugs sponsored by people in government.
The state is currently governed by Lucky Aiyedatiwa, a member of the APC and a strong contender for the party’s ticket.
“The thugs who carried out the orchestrated attacks were armed with all sorts of dangerous weapons. It is sad to note that many of our supporters with deep cuts are in the hospital receiving treatment at the moment.
“It is however surprising that no aspirant other than the governor was spared of the attacks,” a statement by former Finance Minister Wale Akinterinwa, who spoke on behalf of the aspirants, noted.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via [email protected] or @ije_le on Twitter.