Dipo Dina shot dead

Dipo Dina Ogun State Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate Dipo Dina was shot dead last night.

He was killed in the industrial town of Sango Ota, Ogun State by unknown assailants who shot him through the windshield of his SUV, a source said.

In his Ijebu-Ode hometown, there was anxiety as news of his death spread. Many were anxious for a confirmation of the story.

Sources close to the family said Dina was shot dead and that calls to his line were not answered.

Details of the incident were not clear last night. A source said the assailants said his life had been paid for before shooting him in the presence of two others. The others were driven away and dropped off by the assailants.

Reacting last night, AC National Publicity Secretary Lai Mohammed said from the sketchy details obtained the incident looked "more of political assassination than robbery".

He said: "If three people were in a car and two were allowed to walk away and the third shot dead what do you make of that? Considering the political party he belonged to his death smacks of assassination".

"The incident shows the high level of insecurity and political intolerance in the country. This is not good for our democracy. It is so, sad".

Fondly called D-Direct, the Ijebu Ode born economist and businessman was a philanthropist who extended a duty of care to the needy, orphans, widows, jobless youths and indigent students.

He was a consistent progressive politician who rejected overtures to defect to the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In 2003, he contested for the House of Representatives on the platform of AD. He lost, but he said that he was rigged out. In 2007, he was the AC governorship candidate in Ogun State. He lost and went to the tribunal to protest the alleged rigging. The case was struck out.

In 2007, the government of Ogun State frustrated the move to confer a chieftaincy title on him by the Olu of Ilaro. He had prepared for the ceremony. All things he had bought, including invitation letters, were wasted. The government also cancelled the empowerment programme he planned for Ipokia. PDP thugs attacked his convoy in Yewa division and he was assaulted.

Tayo-D:

@topic,

So sad. That's my cousin! I just called and woke my brother up in Lagos on reading this news. He is not even aware yet of what has happened. I don't even know how my Dad and other elderly people within the family will handle this. What a shame! what a shame!!!!

Tayo-D:

@topic,

So sad. That's my cousin! I just called and woke my brother up in Lagos on reading this news. He is not even aware yet of what has happened. I don't even know how my Dad and other elderly people within the family will handle this. What a shame! what a shame!!!!

woye77:

OGD might be behind it

Tayo-D:

@topic,

So sad.  That's my cousin! I just called and woke my brother up in Lagos on reading this news.  He is not even aware yet of what has happened.  I don't even know how my Dad and other elderly people within the family will handle this. What a shame! what a shame!!!!

aloy-emeka:

I'll say Iyabo Obasanjo is behind it. She wants to be Ogun state governor by all means come 2011.

Tayo-D:

@topic,

So sad.  That's my cousin! I just called and woke my brother up in Lagos on reading this news.  He is not even aware yet of what has happened.  I don't even know how my Dad and other elderly people within the family will handle this. What a shame! what a shame!!!!

If only he had an armoured vehicle, he would have survived the gun shot.

OBJ, OGD, IYABO, AMOSUN and others shame on you!