Former commissioner denies involvement in attack on deputy governor Shaibu Okpebholo’s convoy

Former Commissioner for Communications and Orientation in Edo State, Efe Stewart, on Tuesday, denied involvement in the attack on the convoy of the re-elected Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu and the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the September 21 election, Senator Monday Okpebholo,

The Shaibu and Okpebholo convoy was attacked by gunmen, leading to the death of a police officer, Inspector Akor Onuh.

This incident sparked resistance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the APC, as both called for an investigation.

Stewart, who left the PDP and moved to the APC, is one of the people accused by the PDP and the Edo State government of masterminding the shooting.

Reacting to the violence, Stewart told Journalists in Benin, the state capital, that the Edo State government’s allegations in its petition to the Inspector-General of Police of the breakdown of law and order in the state on July 18, 2024 were aimed at tarnishing his rising political profile and reputation.

READ ALSO: Edo assembly rejects court order reinstating Shaibu as deputy governor, files appeal

He said he returned to the APC due to irreconcilable differences, after mobilizing resources and manpower in his capacity as leader of the ruling party in the state.

He stressed that he remains committed to upholding good governance and leadership in the state, having served as a commissioner in the Obaseki-led administration.

He said: “This is to inform Edo people that I was not involved in the political violence last Thursday that killed a policeman.

“I left the PDP when it became clear that I could not work with a moron politician leading PDP activities in my local government in Egor. I was too enlightened to be controlled by an illiterate and a motor park leader.”

He appealed to the public to ignore the lies in the government’s statements that allegedly dragged him into violence.

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