Five governors elected on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria on Sunday commiserated with their counterpart, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, on the brutal killing of his Principal Private Secretary, Olaitan Oyerinde, and the death of three journalists in his convoy, condemning the wave of violence that is manifesting a few weeks to the gubernatorial election in the state.
The governors were Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.
Speaking on behalf of the governors, Fashola said they were in Edo State to urge Oshiomhole to continue the good works he has embarked upon since he took over the government and to convey their sympathies to the families of his aide who was murdered in cold blood and the journalists that were killed in an auto crash involving the governor’s convoy.
According to him: “We believe that elections are about development and progress, which represent contest of ideas and should not therefore degenerate to violence. The incident is sad, but we urge you to be firm. We know you to be a man of peace and a democrat,” Fashola noted.
Fashola said that this are very challenging times, advising Oshiomhole to remain focused as the challenges will create opportunities for the people of Edo State.
Aregbesola expressed his grievance over the death of Oyerinde and called for a review of the security situation in the country, noting that the series of killings that have occurred within a space of one week in the country was an indication of the failure of governance.
Oshiomhole said the solidarity visit by the ACN governors has reassured Edo people that they are not alone in their hour of grief.
He said: “It is clear that what has happened was planned because they realise that they don’t have the capacity to win elections.
“Since we came into office, we have mobilised our people to resist the rigging machine of their godfather. We have demystified the fact that they can no more do anything and get away with it. In the last election we won 85 percent of the votes and they said it was not my election and since they know that on my election day the situation will be difficult, they have resorted to violence.”
Oshiomhole disclosed that the Peoples Democratic Party candidate against regulations, has opened his campaign office directly opposite the ACN secretariat, and even though he has been told to relocate, it is still there because they believe they are above the law.
The governor said the Federal Government should call the PDP to order in the state to prevent the country from degenerating, saying he gave the Police marching orders to unravel the killers of Oyerinde and the three journalists within 14 days.