By Lawal Olamilekan 
_Petitioned IGP, DSS over threat to life_
An Osogbo born retired Professor of Mathematics from the United States of America (USA) who contested for the Osun State governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rafiu Durodoye has raised the alarm over an alleged threat to his life after criticising the government of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Earlier, Prof Durodoye had granted an interview with an online platform, where he questioned the quality of education at Atlanta Metropolitan College, Georgia, and the certificate earned by Adeleke in the school. He criticised his style of governance, stating that he should be voted out in 2026.
Following the outburst from the interview, Adeleke, through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, warned the US University don against disinformation aimed at the governor.
Meanwhile, Prof Durodoye, while addressing newsmen in Osogbo capital of Osun State, on Friday, raised alarm over alleged death threats from unknown people who were bitter about how he criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke.
He said, “I received a call from Ede, hometown of the governor, the person warned and threatened me over my comments on Adeleke with an unknown number. After another person told me that they had given him my job to do, to kill me. After that, Adeleke’s spokesperson wrote things against me on social media.
According to him, “Two weeks ago, three armed men were knocking at my gate at 9:30 pm. I was not in, so my neighbour approached them, and they said they wanted that Professor. They were told that I was not in, then they sent him to tell me that they would be back to deliver the message. So they left.
“On Monday, I went to Ibadan, and my people came back to Osogbo. They were stopped and blocked at the last junction to my house, and they were led to my gate with guns. They came in a Sienna SUV and two Okadas. They told them that I was not home, but they did not believe them, so one of them said maybe they should kill one of my cousins as a message to me, but one of them said no, that they needed me. They left and promised to come back.”
He stated that Adeleke and his supporters should be held responsible if anything happens to him, adding that the threats have heightened concerns about his personal safety and the shrinking space for dissenting opinions in the state.
The don disclosed that he had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Department of State Service (DSS), and Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the matter to seek security.
At the time of filing this report the identity of the attackers are unknown.