Politics
THE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in Ebonyi, Prof. Benard Odoh said in Abakaliki on Wednesday that he had no hand in the killing of the traditional ruler of his hometown, Eze Igboke Ewa.
Gunmen killed Eze Ewa on Monday at his country home at Omege Umuezeokoha autonomous community in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi had alleged on Tuesday that Prof. Odoh was responsible for the murder.
The allegation is contained in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Ogbuatu Simbad.
He stated that the APC’s State Working Committee in Ebonyi received the news of the murder of Ewa on Monday by Odoh, the APGA candidate in Ebonyi State.
“Imagine the extent Odoh could go because of politics even when he knows he won’t be the governor of Ebonyi even if he contested the position 100 times,’’ Simbad had stated.
Reacting to the allegation, Prof. Odoh said the Ebonyi government and the APC in the state were doing everything possible to destroy his reputation.
“I have read what was written by Simbad, APC’s publicity secretary in the state. I have also read another one written by APC’s working committee in the state.
“I don’t have any issue with Chief Ewa. He was 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 state government since I left office as Secretary to the State Government.
“I have been attacked seven times since we started our campaign; none was investigated including the one in which I lost two officers. I was attacked at Okposi in Ohaozara Local Government Area two weeks ago and none had been investigated.
“Now, they have written a petition that I killed my traditional ruler; it is not true; it is unfounded and I don’t understand how this came about.
“It is purely a fabrication aimed at tarnishing my image by the APC government,’’ Odoh stated.
The governorship candidate noted that he would seek legal redress on the accusation.
“They have to prove the matter beyond any reasonable doubt,’’ he stressed.
Police spokesman in Ebonyi, SP Onome Onovwakpayeya, said investigation to fish out the killers of Eze Ewa had begun.
-(NAN)
KN
Tags: APGA Eze Ewa Prof. Benard Odoh
