Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has described as shocking and devastating the death of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Paul Akintelure.

Akintelure, who died in the early hours of Tuesday, was a governorship aspirant in the party and was the Deputy Governorship candidate of the defunct ACN in 2012 in Ondo State.

The Governor expressed his commiserations with the Akintelure family, the people of Okitipupa local government area and the progressive fold in Ondo State.

“Dr. 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”, the Governor said.

Governor Aiyedatiwa added that the death of Dr. Akintelure at this critical time in the life of the State is saddening and prayed for the repose of his soul.

“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.