The senior special assistant on protocol to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Simon Mudi, popularly known as Temple, has alleged that more than 70 men were mobilised to attack him during the Delta Central All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting, leaving him with multiple injuries and requiring hospital treatment.

Temple, who broke his silence following the violent incident at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre in Uvwie Local Government Area, claimed the assault was a continuation of an earlier attack against him that had gone unresolved.

According to him, the first incident occurred on June 26 during the burial of an acquaintance in Okwagbe, where he alleged that over 24 youths attacked him in the presence of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other witnesses.

“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 said.

“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.”

Recounting Sunday’s incident, Temple alleged that the same individual returned with more than 50 men to carry out another attack during the APC gathering.

“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 said he received a warning from an associate shortly before the assault began.

“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 dispersed only after other people at the venue rushed towards the scene.

“It was when they saw the crowd coming that they stopped,” he added.

Describing the incident as life-threatening, the governor’s aide said he narrowly escaped death and is still undergoing treatment for injuries sustained during the attack.

“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, saying, “I don’t know how a commissioner can set up another commissioner.”

Calling for those responsible to be brought to justice, Temple insisted that the attack could not go unpunished.

“There must be justice. How can over 70 boys attack one person? It was a terrible thing to do,” he said.

The attack occurred during the Delta Central APC stakeholders’ meeting, which was attended by several prominent party leaders and government officials, including the 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 the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze.

Authorities have yet to publicly announce any arrests or official findings regarding the incident.