Paul Akintelure, a prominent governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, has passed away. Prior to his demise, Akintelure had expressed concerns about various threats to his life, both direct and indirect, and had hoped for an improvement in the situation over time.
In a statement made on Thursday, March 21, 2023, Akintelure remarked, “Initially, I had hoped that these incidents would gradually subside, but unfortunately, they have escalated to pose a significant risk to my safety. The threats against me only strengthen my determination to advocate for what is right and just. I refuse to let fear dictate our path forward. Let us embrace peace, progress, and unity. Our collective strength lies in our unity, regardless of our differences.”
It is worth noting that Akintelure previously served as the deputy governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) alongside Rotimi Akeredolu, who is now the incumbent governor of Ondo State. Their ticket contested against Olusegun Mimiko, the then Labour Party flagbearer, who emerged victorious in the election. Additionally, Akintelure had contested in a senatorial election as a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party but was unsuccessful.
A medical doctor by profession, Akintelure hailed from Igbotako in the Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State. His passing occurs amidst the increasing momentum surrounding the forthcoming Ondo governorship election.