One of the leading governorship aspirants of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Paul Akintelure, is dead, Peoples Gazette can report.

Mr Akintelure died in the early hours of Tuesday.

An aide to the governorship aspirant confirmed his death to The Gazette in a brief interview.

“Oga (Akintelure) is dead,” he said on the telephone.

Though the aide could not give the details of his death, he stated that Mr Akintelure last Thursday raised the alarm over a threat to his life ahead of the party’s primary election.

The party scheduled April 25 for its primary election, with about 15 aspirants jostling for the governorship ticket.

The APC governorship aspirant had in a statement by his spokesman, Oladapo Akintelure, claimed that there had been both direct and indirect attempts on his life.

In the copy of the statement earlier obtained by The Gazette, Mr Akintelure said that with the recent ‘unsettling event’ he was compelled to voice out and address a matter of grave concern with a heavy heart concerning threats to his life.

“Initially, I hoped these incidents would dissipate over time, yet regrettably, they have escalated to pose a serious threat to my life,” he said in a statement.

Noting that he would not be intimidated by the threat, Mr Akintelure said he had engaged in necessary consultations with agencies entrusted with the safety of lives and property.

He, however, added that he received the intelligence reports and recommendations.

“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 stand together as one, regardless of our differences,” Mr Akintelure had pleaded.

Though he had reported the threat to the security agents, his death came a few days after the leadership of APC released the timetable and schedule of activities for the party’s primary election.

Mr Akintelure served as the running mate to the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu during the 2012 election on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria.

He was a medical doctor and hailed from Igbotako, Okitipupa LGA of Ondo State.

The family has yet to issue an official statement as of the time this report was filed.