Efe Stewart, the former Commissioner for Communication and Orientation in Edo State, refuted claims on Tuesday that he was involved in the political violence that occurred last Thursday.
The convoy of Philip Shaibu, the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, and Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, was attacked by gunmen, resulting in the death of Inspector Akor Onuh, a police officer.
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The incident has exacerbated tensions between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC in Edo State, with both parties calling for an investigation and accusing each other of orchestrating the violence.
Stewart, who transitioned from the PDP to the APC after initially joining the PDP with Governor Godwin Obaseki in 2020, was among those accused by the PDP and the state government of involvement in the attack.
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In a press briefing in Benin, the state capital, Stewart stated that the accusations were part of a deliberate attempt by the state government to tarnish his reputation and political career following his defection to the APC.
Stewart explained that he left the PDP due to irreconcilable differences and after contributing significant resources and effort to the party.
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Despite having served in the Obaseki administration, he remains dedicated to promoting good governance in Edo State.
He elaborated that his departure from the PDP was due to the party’s failure to manage internal conflicts and curb the actions of selfish politicians within his local government area of Egor.
“I want to inform Edo residents that I was not involved in last Thursday’s political violence that led to the death of a police officer,” Stewart said.
“I left the PDP when it became clear that I could not work with the individual leading the PDP activities in my local government in Egor.”
Stewart urged the public to disregard the state government’s allegations linking him to the violence, emphasizing that he has severed all ties with the PDP and its affiliates.
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He criticized the PDP for causing unrest in the state instead of focusing on the upcoming September governorship election.
