The Returning Officer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Supare Akoko, South West council area of Ondo state, in the just concluded governorship primary election, Alaba Abe, aka Excel, has reportedly been assassinated.
Abe, who also served as the ward 10 coordinator for the party in the council area, acted as the returning officer for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the governorship primary on April 20.
His death was confirmed by his elder brother, Samuel Abbey, who reported that Abe was assassinated around 9 pm on Saturday in front of his house.
Following the incident, the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Group urgently called on the police authorities in the state to offer protection against relentless adversaries.
The campaign group, through a statement from its State Information Director, Mr. Kayode Fasua, lamented the brutal killing of Abe, highlighting his pivotal role as a “resourceful coordinator” who actively campaigned for Governor Aiyedatiwa’s election. Fasua noted that Abe was shot at his home in Supare on April 27.
The incident was met with profound dismay by party members in the council area who are working towards the governor’s re-election in November.
David Ajobiewe, the Director-General for the campaign group in Akoko Southwest Local Government, also expressed his shock at the violent loss.
“Excel had been a resourceful coordinator for the Aiyedatiwa campaign organisation in Ward 10 of Supare and was never known to be violent and never had any history of local or domestic dispute.
“We urge the police authorities to step up investigations into his gruesome murder and bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.
Meanwhile, Dr. Oladipupo Okeyomi, the Convener of the campaign group, conveyed the deep condolences of Governor Aiyedatiwa, along with the grief expressed by both the campaign group and the leadership of the APC in Ondo State, over the tragic demise.
He characterized the incident as horrific and unwarranted, extending his sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late Excel.
When reached for comment, the spokesperson for the state police command, Funmi Odunlami, stated, ” In brief, the command is aware of the incident at Supare, investigation is ongoing to unravel all that happened.