Ondo commissioner alleges threat to life

Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ranti Akerele, on Wednesday, raised the alarm that his life was in danger.

He alleged that a top politician in the state had paid N10m to hired assassins to terminate his life.

Akerele told journalists in Akure, the state capital, that a young man walked into his office around noon on Wednesday and dropped a note, detailing the alleged plot hatched at a meeting held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to eliminate him.

The commissioner said, “Around 12 noon today (Wednesday), a young man, who I will want to keep his name based on security advice, walked into my office and he wrote a statement that he was privy to a meeting held in Ibadan where some young men were paid N10m to assassinate me.

“He said that the assassination was to be carried out on a Sunday morning while I would be going to the church. I usually drive myself to the church on Sundays. That presupposes that those who are planning it know my movement quite well on Sundays.

“They know when I am most vulnerable. I don’t want to toy with my life. I am coming to the public because I am the target of the criminal activity.

“A serving senator, whose name I have forwarded to the security agencies paid N10m to have my life terminated. I believe I am worth much more than that. I don’t want my wife to be a widow and I dont want my children to be fatherless.

“As I am talking to you now, my life is in danger. I want to prevent it so that I won’t die. I want to remain alive to keep on discharging my duties to the people of the state. I have already petitioned the State Security Service and other security agencies in the state.”

A former chairman of Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, who is also a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Mr. Dennis Alonge-Niyi, had allegedly assaulted Akerele on April 26 during the State Assembly election in the state.

Alonge-Niyi, an indigene of Afo town, according to eye witnesses, had attempted to convey four policemen who were posted to his home town from the Divisional Police Station in Ido-Ani on electoral duties in his personal vehicle.

The decision was opposed by the commissioner, who was said to have described such as unethical.

Irked by Akerele’s protest, Alonge Niyi was said to have slapped the commissioner.

The scenario took place in the presence of the Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Rafiu Adebayo. Akerele confirmed the incident in an interview with journalists and expressed surprise at the assault.