The family of the late Paul Akintelure has debunked claims of endorsing some governorship aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State.
Akintelure was himself a governorship aspirant in the party until he died on March 26, 2024.
In a statement on Friday signed by his brother Oladapo Akintelure in Abuja, the family urged all aspirants to leave the deceased out of their politicking.
The statement reads: “The attention of the family of late Otunba Dr. Paul Akintelure (DPA) has been drawn to various media reports on purported endorsements of Gubernatorial Aspirants of the All Progressives Congress vying for the party’s candidacy in the upcoming governorship elections of the state.
“We wish to unequivocally state that the DPA family is neither directly nor indirectly involved in these acts of political endorsements.
“We have not directed anybody or any group to engage in such endorsements in the name of the family or in the name of our late icon Dr. Paul Akintelure (DPA).
“We vehemently disapprove of any individual or group endorsing aspirants in the name of DPA structure, and we urge them to desist from such actions.
Ondo gov aspirant Paul Akintelure dies in Lagos
“We are aware that the forthcoming primary election is of great importance to all indigenes and non-indigenes of Ondo state alike.
“This primary election marks the first step in democratically selecting a preferred candidate who will champion the developmental course of Ondo state.
“We also recognize that loyalists, supporters, and friends of DPA, who collectively form the DPA Structure, will have a keen desire to participate in this democratic process of the APC primary election.
“Please exercise your franchise freely and legitimately in your best interest and that of our dear Sunshine State as individuals, but not in the name of DPA or its structure whatsoever.”
The APC’s governorship primary election is scheduled for April 25.
