• Family explains how Akintelure died
• He’s optimistic of clinching party’s ticket, says APC
• Ondo APC elders seek probe of death
• Postpone move to pick preferred aspirant
One of the frontline governorship aspirants under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, Paul Akintelure, is dead.
Akintelure gave up the ghost at the age of 61 in the early hours of yesterday in Lagos State after complaining of chest pain that he had been battling with in the last four days.
Following the development, some governorship aspirants, including Gbenga Edema, Wale Akinterinwa, Olusola Oke and Prof. Dayo Faduyile, have suspended their campaign activities to honour the deceased.
Akintelure, a medical doctor, who hailed from Igbotako in Okitipupa Local Council of the state, was among the top three aspirants already penned down by some elders within the party, known as Ondo APC Aborigines, as the most preferred among the over 20 aspirants.
The deceased had raised the alarm last week Wednesday that there had been both direct and indirect attempts on his life. The deceased spokesperson, Oladapo Akintelure, said that he left behind a legacy of service, dedication, and commitment to the people of the state.
Also, the family of Akintelure, represented by the younger brother of the deceased, Oladapo Akintelure, said the politician died in a Lagos hospital. He said: “For the past 12 or 14 days, he (Akintelure) had been complaining of several sudden illnesses, ranging from headache to back and chest pains.”
Meanwhile, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has described as shocking and devastating the sudden death of Akintelure, stressing that the deceased, who was a core progressive, would be missed.
According to the governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the late Akintelure was a friend and associate who exhibited decorum and humility to the admiration of many.
On his part, Chairman of the party in the state, Ade Adetimehin, in a statement by the party’s spokesperson, Alex Kalejaye, said: “Like other governorship aspirants, he was optimistic of victory come April. He had many other plans; death was never part of them.”
HOWEVER, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, under the umbrella of Ondo APC Aborigines, have urged the state government to launch a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sudden demise of Akintelure.
The group made the appeal, yesterday, after postponing its meeting scheduled to pick its preferred candidate from the three shortlisted aspirants by the seven-man committee put in place by the group.
Leader of the group and a former ambassador, Olusola Iji, said the adjournment of the meeting became necessary to mourn Akintelure, who was a strong member of the group.
