Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Protocol, Mr. Simon Mudi, popularly known as Temple, has broken his silence over the violent attack that left him hospitalised during a Delta Central All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting, alleging that more than 70 men were mobilised to attack him.
Speaking exclusively with SaharaReporters, Temple claimed the assault at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre in the Uvwie Local Government Area was not an isolated incident but the culmination of an earlier attack against him that allegedly went unaddressed.
According to him, he was first attacked on June 26 during the burial of a deceased acquaintance in Okwagbe, where he said more than 24 youths assaulted him in the presence of several witnesses, including Governor Oborevwori.
“I was just on my own on the day we were doing the APC meeting at the conference centre. But before then, he attacked me on the 26th of last month during our late brother’s burial in Okwagbe with over 24 boys,” Temple told SaharaReporters.
“Everybody witnessed it, even the governor was there. It was a hectic one, so I had to tell myself to be patient and not attack him back. I withdrew myself to avoid issues with him.”
Temple alleged that despite choosing not to retaliate, he was targeted again during Sunday’s APC stakeholders’ meeting.
“On that day, he came again with over 50 boys. In fact, what really happened was that I was on my way to eat with my watchmen,” he said.
He recalled receiving a warning moments before the attack.
“When my associate called me that he saw a signal they had brought a lot of boys to attack me, immediately I dropped the call and saw about 12 boys who came to attack me.
“Before I could say anything, they started breaking bottles everywhere, stabbing me from the back, stabbing me everywhere. Everyone was running. I couldn’t even defend myself.”
Temple said the attackers only fled after a crowd began moving towards the scene.
“It was when they saw the crowd coming that they stopped,” he said.
Describing the ordeal as traumatic, Temple said he narrowly escaped death and is still receiving treatment for multiple injuries.
“It was a terrible experience. I just thank God that my life was saved. As I am talking to you, my head was stitched 11 times,” he said.
He also questioned what he described as the involvement of another state official in the incident.
“I don’t know how a commissioner can set up another commissioner,” he added.
Calling for accountability, Temple insisted that those responsible must face justice.
“There must be justice. How can over 70 boys attack one person? It was a terrible thing to do.”
The media had earlier reported that violence erupted during the Delta Central APC stakeholders’ meeting attended by top party leaders and government officials, including Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, Senator Ede Dafinone, NEXIM Bank Executive Director Stella Okotete, Governor Oborevwori’s Senior Political Adviser Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Delta ALGON Chairman Isaiah Esiovwa and Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze.
Conflicting accounts have emerged over the cause of the violence.
While some sources alleged the clash stemmed from a confrontation linked to suspected rival confraternity groups, others attributed it to longstanding political disagreements between Temple and Commissioner Izeze.
SaharaReporters could not independently verify claims regarding the alleged confraternity affiliations of those involved.
Temple was reportedly stabbed multiple times in the head, neck and back before being rushed to hospital.
Commissioner Izeze has denied orchestrating the attack, insisting he was nowhere near the scene when the violence erupted.
He instead alleged that Temple initiated the confrontation by attacking another attendee with a plastic chair, triggering retaliation from others.
The commissioner also claimed he was assaulted during the melee and accused Uvwie Local Government Chairman Tony Ofoni of attacking him and taking or damaging his personal belongings, including a wristwatch, cash and prescription glasses.
Meanwhile, the Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) has condemned the violence and called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and prosecute those responsible.
The organisation warned that violence involving political appointees at a party meeting undermines democratic governance and poses a threat to peace and stability in Delta State.
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