Prof. Benard Ifeanyi Odoh, an APGA candidate for governor in Ebonyi State, has refuted claims made by the state government that he ordered the assassination of Ezeogo Igboke Ewa, the traditional leader of the area, by as-yet-unidentified gunmen.
Recall that on February 27, 2023, around 8:30 p.m., Ezeogo Ewa, the Omege Umuezeokoha autonomous community’s traditional ruler, was brutally murdered at his home.
According to reports, the Ebonyi State Government accused opposition groups of carrying out the murder less than 12 hours later through its spokesperson, Barr. Uchenna Orji.
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Simbad Chidi Ogbuatu, the state publicity secretary for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), also claimed in a press release that Odoh, a former secretary to the Ebonyi State Government, was responsible for the royal father’s murder.
In a statement signed and provided to reporters in Abakaliki through his director of media and publicity, Odoh refuted the accusations and claimed that the government was only using them to damage his well-deserved reputation.
It’s difficult that the government is trying everything in its power to ruin my reputation at a time when I’m mourning the passing of my traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Eze Igboke Ewa. Anyone who knows me is aware of my accomplishments. I’ve read some writings by a person named Ogbuatu Chidi Simbad. I’ve also read the APC State Working Committee’s version. The truth is that I don’t disagree with HRH Eze Igboke Ewa in any way. He serves as my father. After I was attacked in Ezillo two weeks ago, he came to see me.
“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 SSG 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 a video clips of APC people with branded APC vehicles who came to attack us. No investigation was made.”
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He stated further: “Now, they have written a petition that I killed my traditional ruler, it’s not true, it’s unfounded and I don’t understand how this came about. His Royal Highness is not a politician and he is not contesting any election. I’m the one contesting for the Governorship seat of this state and those who are contesting with me are known, they are the APC and the PDP candidates. So, what’s the point? So, it’s purely a fabrication aimed at tarnishing my image by the APC government.”
