PDP CONDEMNS AREGBESOLA FOR RELEASING KILLERS OF ODUNAYO OLAGBAJU

The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the release of those who were convicted for the murder of a former member of the House of Assembly, Odunayo Olagbaju.

A statement issued by the party's Publicity Secretary, Mr. Funmi Lamuye on Thursday said the party was shocked to learn that Mr Rauf Aregbesola had ordered the release of the convicts.

Hon Olagbaju was murdered in Ile Ife in December 2001 by some people in the midst of the crisis between two factions of the Alliance for Democracy Government allegedly led by then Governor Bisi Akande and his deputy, Iyiola Omisore. Olagbaju belonged to the Omisore camp.

The PDP statement reads: 'We wish to condemn in its entirety the decision of the Rauf Aregbesola administration to free convicts that confessed to have played a part in the assassination of Late Odunayo Olagbaju 'Misty.'

'While the state chapter of the PDP agrees that the governor reserves the right to free prisoners, it is rather suspicious the kind of interest the ACN government has in the case of those that willingly confessed to have killed the vibrant legislator, who represented Ife Central State Constituency between 1999 and 2001.

'The recent action of the Rauf Aregbesola administration has confirmed suspicions that Odunayo Olagbaju, though of the Alliance for Democracy stock, was murdered for his people- centered stance. 'It is another pointer to the fact that, under the so-called exercise of Prerogative of Mercy power is a murder-supporting motive. 'The assassination of late Odunayo Olagbaju 10 years ago is still fresh in the memories of the people of Ile-Ife and democracy supporting Osun people.

'It leaves much to be desired for any government, person or group to openly show sympathy to those who confessed to his killing and were duly convicted. 'The Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State wants Mr. Rauf Aregbesola and his National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande to search their conscience, (if they have any,) what would their families have done if they were in Olagbaju's shoe.

'The PDP wants to ask on what grounds the ACN governor granted amnesty to the said self-confessed murderers?

'The corpse of Olagbaju (aka misty) will no doubt be turning in the grave. Where is justice?,' the PDP queried.