An Osogbo-born retired Professor of Mathematics based in the United States, Prof. Rafiu Durodoye who previously sought the Osun State governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised serious concerns over alleged threats to his life following his public criticism of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration.
Prof. Durodoye had earlier granted an interview to an online platform in which he questioned the standard of education at Atlanta Metropolitan College in Georgia and the academic credentials obtained there by Governor Adeleke. He also criticised the governor’s leadership approach, asserting that the administration should be voted out in the 2026 election cycle. In response, the governor, through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, cautioned the academic against what he described as the dissemination of misleading information aimed at discrediting the governor.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Friday, Prof. Durodoye alleged that he has since been subjected to a series of death threats from unidentified individuals angered by his remarks. He claimed to have received threatening phone calls, including one allegedly originating from Ede, the governor’s hometown, warning him to desist from further criticism. According to him, another individual informed him that he had been contracted to assassinate him.
The retired professor further recounted multiple incidents in which armed men allegedly attempted to locate him at his residence. He claimed that on one occasion, three armed individuals visited his home late at night inquiring about him, and on another, armed men intercepted members of his family near his residence, allegedly threatening violence if he could not be found.
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.”
Prof. Durodoye stated that Governor Adeleke and his supporters should be held accountable should any harm come to him, adding that the situation underscores growing concerns about personal safety and the narrowing space for dissenting views within the state.
He disclosed that he has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), seeking protection and a thorough investigation into the alleged threats.
As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the alleged attackers remain unknown.
