‘I have no hands in Traditional Ruler’s murder’ – Gubernatorial candidate cries out
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi State, Prof. Benard Ifeanyi Odoh, has denied killing a traditional ruler in the state, Ezeogo Igboke Ewa, as alleged by the state government.
It will be recalled that Ezeogo Ewa, who was the traditional ruler of Omege Umuezeokoha autonomous community, was murdered in cold blood at his palace at about 8:30 p.m. on Monday, 27th February, 2023.
But not less than 12 hours after, the State Government, through its spokesperson, Barr. Uchenna Orji, accused opposition elements of being behind the killing.
Similarly, the state Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Simbad Chidi Ogbuatu, in a press release, had as well alleged that the former Secretary to Ebonyi State Government, Odoh, was behind the murder of the royal father.
But while reacting in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki, through his director of media and publicity, Onoh debunked the allegations, stating that the accusation by the government was all intended to tarnish his hard-earned reputation.
The statement reads in part: “It’s hard that at a time I’m mourning the death of my traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Eze Igboke Ewa, the 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 APC State working committee. The fact is that I don’t have any issue with HRH Eze Igboke Ewa. He is a father to me. He visited me two weeks ago after I was attacked at Ezillo.
“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.”
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.”
