Prof. Benard Odoh, the All Progressives Grand Alliance’s candidate for governor in Ebonyi State, has refuted accusations that he was responsible for the death of the traditional leader Ezeogo Ewa.
He stated that unnamed gunmen killed the monarch, who the Ebonyi State Government claimed he had planned to kill.
The traditional chief was brutally murdered at about 8:30 p.m. on Monday in his Umuezeokoha community home by as-yet-unidentified gunmen, according to reports.
The incident threw the entire area into deep mourning.
Shortly after the incident, the Ebonyi government through the Commissioner for Information, Barr. Uchenna Orji, described the situation as sad and accused opposition elements of being behind the killing.
Also, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Simbad Ogbuatu, in a press statement, on Tuesday, accused the APGA governorship candidate of being behind the murder of the monarch.
However, in an interview with journalists in Abakaliki, on Tuesday, Odoh debunked the allegations, saying it was a desperate move by the state government to tarnish him and his reputation.
He said, “It is hard that at a time I’m mourning the death of my traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Eze Igboke Ewa, the APC government is doing everything possible to destroy my reputation. Anybody who knows me knows my records. I have read what was written by one Ogbuatu Chidi Simbad. I have also read the one written by the APC State Working Committee. I don’t have any issue with HRH Eze Igboke Ewa.”
He described the late monarch as a father to him and had visited him two weeks ago after he was attacked at Ezillo.
“Before I took off for this political journey, I went and consulted him as my Eze and he blessed me. So, this is strange.
“What’s going on in Ebonyi today is a political witch-hunt. I have had a running battle with this government since I left as Secretary to the State Government and all of you are fully aware of it. I have been attacked seven times since we started our campaign, none was investigated including the one I lost two officers. I was attacked at Okposi two weeks ago where we have video clips of APC people with branded APC vehicles who came to attack us. No investigation was made,” he said.
He noted the APC was doing everything possible to distract him but vowed not to give room for such.
He promised to seek legal redress against the accusation, noting that those plotting the accusation must prove the matter beyond any reasonable doubt.
“It’s strange that at a time the entire community is mourning, this is what’s coming out from the APC government,” he lamented.
He urged residents of the state to patiently await a full investigation as appropriate action would be carried out
“Let’s be calm and hope that Justice will be served in the end,” he implored.
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