The owner of the vehicle involved in the recent incident with the convoy of the Ebonyi State Governor, Ambassador Morris Eguji, has apologised to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and members of his security team, describing the incident as an unfortunate misunderstanding that was misrepresented on social media.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Eguji explained that the vehicle seen in the widely circulated video belongs to him and had been handed over to his mechanic, Mr. Monday, for repairs after he recently acquired it for resale.
According to Eguji, he became aware of the incident after receiving a voice note and video from his mechanic and subsequently conducted his own investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event.
He stated that his findings revealed that the mechanic was driving to Ikwo with four apprentices to recover another broken-down vehicle when they encountered the Governor’s convoy.
Eguji said the mechanic initially pulled over to give way to the convoy but allegedly misunderstood a signal from a police officer in one of the escort Hilux vehicles, believing he had been directed to move. While attempting to do so, the vehicle accidentally struck one of the convoy’s pilot motorcycles, causing the rider to fall. The collision also reportedly damaged the motorcycle’s headlamp.
He noted that the incident was immediately perceived by the Governor’s security personnel as a potential security threat, considering that the vehicle carried four unidentified young men. According to him, the security operatives reacted based on the circumstances confronting them at the time.
“The mechanic’s action was not intentional,” Eguji stated, adding that it resulted from a misunderstanding rather than a deliberate attempt to breach the convoy’s security.
The vehicle owner further alleged that the videos circulating on social media did not present the complete sequence of events. He claimed that the original footage, which showed the pilot motorcycle on the ground after the collision, was edited, leaving only the segment where security personnel were seen damaging the vehicle.
According to him, the edited version created a misleading narrative and fuelled public criticism without showing the events that preceded the reaction of the security operatives.
As part of efforts to bring the matter to a close, Eguji formally apologised to Governor Nwifuru, members of the Governor’s convoy and the security team for the unfortunate incident and the misconceptions that followed.
He also clarified that the vehicle involved belongs solely to him and is not owned by any government official or political figure.
Eguji disclosed that the damaged vehicle has since been repaired and appealed to members of the public not to politicise the incident or use it as a campaign tool against the Ebonyi State Government.
He maintained that his account accurately reflects the events surrounding the incident, stressing that any contrary narrative should be regarded as the personal opinion of those circulating it rather than an accurate representation of what transpired.
