BY Henry Umoru

ABUJA – AS the remains of murdered Principal Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Olaitan Oyerinde, is laid to rest in his native home today, the national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the governor of blackmail to score cheap political points.

PDP also urged Oshiomhole to look beyond what it termed his obsession with wild accusations against his opponents and consider the possibility of culprits within his set up, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, noted that the PDP was “particularly appalled with the dangerous descent to violence and the resort to baseless accusations and foul language employed to score cheap political points.”

He stressed that the PDP could never be involved in murder to achieve its political goals, adding, “our pedigree as a performing political party places us in good stead to succeed in any electoral contest in Nigeria. We do not need to kill in order to succeed.

“We call on the Nigerian public to note that these accidents and murders in Edo State suddenly emerged upon the political gains of PDP in Edo State thriving on the scandals of Oshiomhole’s private mansion and other nauseating corrupt practices.”

The party condemned ACN for choosing to dishonor the memory of Oyerinde as the PDP has nothing to gain from his murder, adding “it is only the ACN that stands to gain massive sympathy and public sentiments in this regard.

“Let us emphasise here that motive is always a factor in murder cases. Who stands to gain from this gruesome murder? It is unfortunate that ACN seems to have ready-made suspects for every misfortune that befalls the party.

“The pronouncements by Oshiomhole, directly accusing PDP and its leaders of this murder is irresponsible and capable of jeopardising investigation by the law enforcement agencies,” he added.