Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the state All Progressives Congress have expressed shock over the death of the party’s governorship aspirant, Paul Akintelure.

The governor described the incident as “shocking and devastating.”

Mr Akintelure died in the early hours of Tuesday but details of his death were still sketchy.

Mr Aiyedatiwa, in a statement by his spokesman, Ebenezer Adeniyan, commiserated with Mr Akintelure’s family, people of Okitipupa LGA and the progressive fold in the state.

He said, “Akintelure was a wonderful human being and was a core progressive. He was very consistent and loyal to the tenets of progressive politics in Ondo State and Nigeria.

“He was a friend and associate. He conducted his private business and public affairs with so much decorum and humility to the admiration of many. We have lost a complete gentleman. He will be greatly missed.”

Mr Aiyedatiwa added that the death of Akintelure at this critical time in the life of the state was saddening and prayed for the repose of his soul.

Also, in a statement by its publicity secretary, Alex Kalejaye, the party said the late Mr Akintelure was a highly refined party man who contributed immensely to the progressives’ fold.

It added that the news of Adetimehin’s death was shocking.

The party chairman described the deceased as a personal friend, with whom he had a good relationship over the years.

“The All Progressives Congress in Ondo State is saddened over the death of one of its gladiators, Dr. Paul Akintelure. He was a governorship aspirant, getting ready to participate in the party’s primary scheduled for next month.

“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 Ondo State chapter of APC will not be forgotten.

“Like other governorship aspirants, he was optimistic of victory, come April. He had many other plans, death was never part of them,” it read.

The party, however, condoled with the immediate family, the Igbotako community, his political associates, and the Nigerian Medical Association over Mr Akintelure’s passing.