Political Tension Rises As APC Chieftain Claims Death Threat Over Adeleke Attack

A former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rufai Durotoye, has alleged that his life is under threat following his criticism of the administration of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.

In a petition submitted to the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Durotoye called for a discreet investigation into the alleged threats, warning that urgent action was necessary to prevent any possible loss of life.

The petition, written by his lawyer, Kehinde Adesiyan, claimed that unidentified individuals had visited Durotoye’s residence on two occasions. It also alleged that he received anonymous phone calls warning that he would be killed if he failed to withdraw his comments on what he described as uneven distribution of infrastructure across the state under the Adeleke administration.

Durotoye, a US-based mathematician who sought the APC governorship ticket ahead of the August 8 election, had granted an interview about two months ago in which he criticised the state government over alleged imbalances in infrastructure development.

Part of the petition stated that the appeal was made as a “save our soul” call to security agencies, urging them to invite all relevant persons for questioning in order to ensure that no lives are endangered, particularly that of Durotoye, whom it described as a breadwinner to many dependants.

Speaking with Leadership on Friday, Durotoye, who is currently outside the country, said that in addition to threatening phone calls, individuals he described as assassins had reportedly visited his Osogbo residence and left a message warning him to retract his remarks or face dire consequences.

He maintained that as a politician and citizen of Osun State, he had done nothing wrong by expressing his opinions on governance, adding that constructive criticism in a democratic society should be seen as a means of supporting, not undermining, government efforts.