Former commissioner refutes attacking Shaibu’s convoy

A former Commissioner for Communication and Orientation in Edo State, Efe Stewart, on Tuesday, refuted allegations of involvement in Thursday’s political violence in the state.

The convoy carrying reinstated Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC’s governorship candidate, came under fire by unidentified gunmen, claiming the life of Inspector Akor Onuh, a police officer, in the deadly attack.

The attack has sparked a war of words between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), with both parties demanding an investigation into the incident.

Stewart, who dumped the PDP for the APC, was one of those the PDP and Edo State government accused of being behind the shooting.

In response, Stewart told newsmen in Benin that the allegation by the Edo State government in its petition to the Inspector General of Police over the July 18, 2024 breakdown of law and order in the state was targeted at tarnishing his rising political profile and reputation.

He said he returned to the APC due to irreconcilable differences, after putting in resources and energy in his capacity as a chieftain of the ruling party in the state.

He said having served the Obaseki-led government as a commissioner, he remained committed to enthroning good governance and leadership in the state.

He said, “This is to let Edo residents know that I was not involved in last Thursday’s political violence which claimed the life of a police officer.

“I left the PDP when it became obvious that I could not work with a political nitwit spearheading the PDP activities in my local government in Egor. I am too enlightened to be controlled by an illiterate and a motor park leader.”

He appealed to the general public to disregard the government’s statement, which falsely linked him to the violence.

Stewart further stated that he had no affiliation or dealings with the PDP and its associates, who were more focused on disrupting the state’s peace than on campaigning for the governorship election.