Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), ACN gubernatorial aspirant in Ondo State, has charged security agents to unravel killers of Mr Olaitan Oyerinde, the Principal Private Secretary to Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo.
Oyerinde, 44, was shot dead by unknown gunmen, who invaded his house in Benin City on Friday.
Akeredolu, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), gave the charge on Monday during a condolence visit to Oshiomole in Benin, Edo State.
In a statement in Lagos, Akeredolu described the death of Oyerinde as “murder too many and tragic”.
The aspirant who was accompanied by Mr Banji Ayeloge, Director General, Aketi Campaign Network (ACN), lamented that the spate of political killings in the country recently.
“The killing of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, in his residence on May 4, 2012 by unknown gunmen was in a manner reminiscent of the days of the “do-or-die” politics in the country.
“It is deplorable to observe that our brand of democracy seeks to kill its best material to settle political or personal scores.
“As things are in the country today, almost every Nigerian believes that this much vaunted metaphoric book has become too voluminous by virtue of the incessant inclusion of fresh cases showcasing the dark sides of human beings.
“Nobody puts hope in our criminal justice system. If the security agencies have failed to resolve several murders which preceded this latest felonious act, why should anyone expect anything different this time around? Criminals get more emboldened at every successful strike at the underbelly of the society by social deviants,” Akeredolu said.
The aspirant urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident towards bringing the perpetrators to book.
Akeredolu, however, cautioned that the killing of Oyerinde should not be linked to armed robbery attack “theory”.
He observed that Oyerinde’s assassination, as well as last week’s controversial accident involving Governor Oshiomole’s convoy, where three journalists died, was not unconnected with the July governorship election in the state.
Akeredolu urged members of the ACN in the state not to be deterred by the murder, but rather to work toward ensure the victory of the party in the forthcoming governorship election.
“The spate of violence was aimed at giving the opposition party victory at the poll. The ACN-led administration in Edo state has impacted positively on the lives of the people and no desperation or violent acts can stop Governor Oshiomole’s re-election in the July election,” he stated.
While commiserating with the family of Oyerinde on the gruesome murder, Akeredolu urged Governor Oshiomole not to be cowed by the morbid onslaught.
